Nephi describes events that happened at Nahom, then explains that the group traveled “nearly eastward from that time forth” (1 Nephi 17:1). No source—either modern or ancient—reveals that the existing Incense Trail turns east from the area where the Nihm tribe dwelt, i.e., where Nahom was located. Therefore, it would have been impossible for Joseph Smith, or anyone else who had not visited the area, to know this. But of course, Nephi knew this information, and his family traveled eastward until they reached the place they named Bountiful.
EVIDENCE: Writings About Arabia
Writings about ancient Arabia were not available in Joseph Smith’s area at the time he labored to translate the Book of Mormon. In fact, most of the classical writings about Arabia did not appear in libraries of accessible distance to Joseph until the early 1900s. (It should also be pointed out that very little detailed information on Arabia and its geography was provided by classical authors in the first place.) Therefore, the Prophet could not have obtained specific information about Arabia before or during the translation process, except what the Lord revealed to him. (See Echoes, 69–70.)