This is the city of Angola. Due to the practice of naming a land by the same name as the city, it is presumed to also be the land of Angola. It was spelt as Angelah in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon. The city of Angola is in the north countries. The north countries are areas in and near the narrow neck (the line between the land of Desolation and the land Bountiful from the sea west to the sea east). The city of Angola is northward of the land of Zarahemla. The city of Angola is eastward of the lands of David and Joshua.
Commentaries (
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MORMON 1:24 [2:3]: And it came to pass that in the three hundred and twenty and seventh year, the Lamanites did come upon us with exceeding great power, insomuch that they did frighten my armies; therefore they would not fight, and they began to retreat towards the north countries.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Angola, the north country, and Zarahemla. The term 'us' refers to Mormon and his army. The 'north countries' is a phrase with a distinct meaning. It is first used as 'north country' in Helaman 2:39 [4:6]. Here, it is referenced as more than one country. Mormon's army retreated northward from the land of Zarahemla to the city of Angola. So, the north countries are northward of the land of Zarahemla.
MORMON 1:25 [2:4]: And it came to pass that we did come to the city of Angola, and we did take possession of the city, and make preparations to defend ourselves against the Lamanites.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Angola, Joshua, the narrow neck, the north country, and Zarahemla. Mormon's army traveled from the land of Zarahemla to the city of Angola (which is in the north countries - see Mormon 1:24 [2:3]). In the Book of Ether, the north countries are defined as lands in an area around the narrow neck. This is a likely location for the city of Angola since being chased to the land of Joshua later would only require going across the narrow neck from the east to the west.
MORMON 1:27 [2:5]: And they did also drive us forth out of the land of David. And we marched forth and came to the land of Joshua, which was in the borders west, by the sea-shore.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Angola, David, Joshua, the Narrow Neck, the North Country, and the Sea West. The phrase 'did also' indicates that there is a land in addition to the land of David. Since the city of Angola was the previous location they were driven out of, this means the land of David is separate from the land surrounding the city of Angola. This indicates the area around the city of Angola is also considered to be a land. The land of Joshua is in or near the north countries and located by the Sea West shore. So, the land of Joshua is west of the land of David. The north countries were in the narrow neck. Since the direction that Mormon's army is being driven is westward towards the seashore to the west, the land of David is westward of the city of Angola.
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