Bountiful

This is the land and city of Bountiful. The land Bountiful was located in the narrow neck. It was northward of the land of Zarahemla, the land southward, and the land of Jershon. There were several lands between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful. The land Bountiful was southward and eastward of the land Desolation, eastward of the narrow pass, and westward of the land of Morianton, land of Gid, and land of Mulek. There is a wilderness that bordered the land Bountiful and there were plains between the land Bountiful and the land of Mulek. There are no lands between the land Bountiful and the land of Gid. There is a possibility that there are no lands between the land Bountiful and the land of Mulek. There is a potential conflict with other Book of Mormon references - the land Bountiful is next to the land of Jershon.

Commentaries (view it on a map)

ALMA 13:73 [22:29]: Nevertheless the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land, bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they called Bountiful.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the headwaters of the river Sidon, the South Wilderness, and the wilderness around Bountiful. The phrase 'of the land' means many lands or a collection of many lands. The phrase 'northern parts' means north of the South Wilderness. There is wilderness at the head of the river Sidon that would be the wilderness around the land of Manti. The phrase 'round about on the wilderness side' means there is wilderness north of the wilderness at the head of the river Sidon. This verse places the land Bountiful at the north end of the wilderness in the westward parts of the land. The land Bountiful is also described as having a wilderness, so the wilderness here is next to, or a continuation of, the wilderness around the land Bountiful. The wilderness around the land Bountiful would be, at the least, on the southern side of the land Bountiful.

ALMA 13:74 [22:30]: And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation; it being so far northward, that it came into the land which had been peopled, and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken, which was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; it being the place of their first landing. And they came from there up into the south wilderness.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the narrow neck, Nephi, the Promised Land (I Nephi), the Sea West, and the South Wilderness. The term 'it' refers to the northern parts of the land mentioned in Alma 13:73 [22:29]. The northern parts of the land bordered the land Desolation and the land Bountiful. The phrase 'it came into the land which had been peopled, and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken' refers to the people described in the Book of Ether (the Jaredites). The Jaredites lived in the lands in the narrow neck indicating that the northern parts of the land extended to the narrow neck. This also places the land Desolation next to lands of the Jaredites in the narrow neck. This verse does not define the location of the bones, just where the people (the Jaredites) lived whose bones were found in the Land Cumorah. The phrase 'it being the place of their first landing' is the description of the Promised Land (I Nephi) and indicates that Lehi landed on the Sea West shore near the land Desolation. The phrase 'came from there up into the south wilderness' describes the journey in II Nephi 4:10 [5:7] of Nephi and his people from the Promised Land (I Nephi) to the land of Nephi which required traveling through the South Wilderness. The phrase 'up into' indicates the South Wilderness is higher in elevation than the Promised Land (I Nephi), a somewhat obvious reference since the Promised land (I Nephi) was on the seashore. But, it does show consistency in the use of the term 'up' to indicate a higher terrain elevation.

ALMA 13:75 [22:31]: Thus the land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on the southward was called Bountiful; it being the wilderness which is filled with all manner of wild animals of every kind; a part of which had come from the land northward, for food.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the land northward, and the wilderness around Bountiful. This verse places the land Desolation northward of the land Bountiful. There is a wilderness in or around the land Bountiful. The phrase 'land on the northward' does not describe the land northward, but rather the land Desolation just being located northward of the land Bountiful. This is parallel grammar construction the same as the 'land north' referring to the land of Mulek and the 'land south' referring to the land of Lehi. This verse describes the land northward as being close enough to the wilderness around the land Bountiful for animals to migrate from the land northward to the land Bountiful in search of food.

ALMA 13:76 [22:32]: And now it was only the distance of a day and a half's journey for a Nephite, on the line Bountiful, and the land Desolation, from the east to the west sea;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the narrow neck, the Sea East, and the Sea West. This verse does not directly mention the Sea East. The literal interpretation is that a Nephite can journey from a point on the east to the Sea West in a day and a half. This verse also does not infer that the Nephite is traveling by foot or that the point on the east is the Sea East. Parts of the journey could have been made by canoe on a river. Refer to Appendix D for notable world records for running and paddling. Given the conditions for the Nephite were not as optimal as the record setting conditions, the maximum distance expressed by this verse is no more than about 200 miles.

ALMA 13:78 [22:33]: And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited the land Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The land Bountiful was in control by the Nephites. They were living on the line between the land Bountiful and land Desolation, from the Sea West to a point east. The term 'east' refers to a point on the east and does not directly refer to the Sea East.

ALMA 15:23 [27:22]: And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Jershon, and the Sea East. The land of Jershon is south (and east) of the land Bountiful and by the Sea East. The land of Jershon is by the Sea East. The grammar in this verse is confusing. The phrase 'which joins the land Bountiful' is not clear what it refers to, either the land of Jershon or the sea.

ALMA 22:12 [50:11]: The Nephites possessing all the land northward; yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, and the land which was northward. The land northward is northward of the land Bountiful. The phrase 'yea, even' applies the description 'all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful' to the land northward. This means that the entire land northward is northward of the land Bountiful.

ALMA 22:28 [50:27]: But behold, the people who possessed the land of Lehi, fled to the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for assistance; for behold, they were not in the wrong.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Lehi. They fled to the camp of Moroni (the person, not the land) from the land of Lehi. The camp of Moroni is in the land Bountiful at this time.

ALMA 22:32 [50:31]: And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to the camp of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the matter; and also concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, the land which was northward, Morianton, and a ridge between Bountiful and Morianton. The land northward was earlier referred to in Alma 22:30 [50:29] as 'the land which was northward'. The phrase 'came over' indicates there is a ridge between the land Bountiful and the land of Morianton.

ALMA 22:34 [50:33]: Therefore Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, and Morianton. The term 'their' refers to Morianton and his people. Moroni was in the land Bountiful at this time. So, the land Bountiful is in between the land of Morianton and the land northward.

ALMA 23:34 [51:28]: And it came to pass that they marched to the borders of the land Bountiful, driving the Nephites before them, and slaying many.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Mulek, the Sea East, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanites. The Lamanites went from the city Mulek to the borders of the land Bountiful. There is no mention of capturing any cities between the city Mulek and the borders of the land Bountiful. There is a possibility that there were no lands between the city Mulek and the land Bountiful.

ALMA 23:36 [51:30]: And it came to pass that he headed Amalickiah also, as he was marching forth with his numerous army, that he might take possession of the land Bountiful, and also the land northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, and Mulek. The term 'he' refers to Teancum. Amalickiah was marching from the city Mulek. The land Bountiful is in the path of getting from the city Mulek to the land northward. To take possession of the land northward indicates that the land northward is something that could be taken (a defined area).

ALMA 23:39 [51:32]: And it came to pass that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents in the borders on the beach by the sea-shore, and after this manner were they driven.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The borders of the land Bountiful are in proximity to a beach by the seashore. There is no direct reference whether the seashore is the Sea East or the Sea West. Alma 23:36 [51:30] describes Amalickiah trying to get to the land northward and Alma 24:2 [52:2] describes the army of Amalickiah abandoning the attempt to get to the land northward. So, the seashore would be by the sea leading to the land northward, which would be the Sea West. There is precedent for this seashore to be the Sea West shore. Morianton and his people came from the land of Morianton on the Sea East shore to the narrow pass on the Sea West shore that lead to the land northward. Amalickiah came from the city of Mulek on the Sea East shore with the intent to get to the land northward.

ALMA 24:2 [52:2]: And now when the Lamanites saw this, they were affrighted; and they abandoned their design in marching into the land northward, and retreated with all their army into the city of Mulek, and sought protection in their fortifications.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, and Mulek. The Lamanites retreated away from the land Bountiful and retreated with all their army into the city of Mulek. The land northward is on the other side of the land Bountiful than the land of Mulek. There is a general line from the land northward to the land Bountiful to the city of Mulek.

ALMA 24:10 [52:9]: And he also sent orders unto him, that he should fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point, and should have power to harass them on every side.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, and the narrow pass. The term 'he' refers to Moroni. The term 'him' refers to Teancum. The land Bountiful is in proximity to a narrow pass that led into the land northward. The land Bountiful is a strategic location to defend the narrow pass, possibly next to the narrow pass.

ALMA 24:18 [52:16]: And it came to pass that Teancum had received orders to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and retake it if it were possible.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land northward, Mulek, and the narrow pass. Teancum was securing the land Bountiful and the narrow pass (preventing Lamanites to get to the land northward). The city of Mulek is in a general line with the land Bountiful, narrow pass and the land northward.

ALMA 24:19 [52:17]: And it came to pass that Teancum made preparations to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and march forth with his army against the Lamanites; but he saw that it was impossible that he could overpower them while they were in their fortifications;

Commentary: This verse references the place of Mulek. Teancum had traveled from the city Bountiful to the city of Mulek.

ALMA 24:20 [52:17]: Therefore he abandoned his designs, and returned again to the city Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni that he might receive strength to his army.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. The term 'he' refers to Teancum. The phrase 'city Bountiful' indicates that the land Bountiful followed the same practice as the other lands where the land is named the same as the primary city in the land.

ALMA 24:24 [52:20]: And it came to pass that they sent embassies to the army of the Lamanites, which protected the city of Mulek, to their leader, whose name was Jacob, desiring him that he would come out with his armies to meet them upon the plains, between the two cities.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Mulek, plains between Bountiful and Mulek, and a wilderness west of the city of Mulek. There are plains between the city Bountiful and the city Mulek. Jacob is cautious so he is not going to go far from the city Mulek (see Alma 24:25 [52:21]), so the plains are in, or close to, the lands of Mulek. The Sea East is eastward of the city of Mulek, so the plains would be westward of the city of Mulek.

ALMA 24:35 [52:27]: And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue Teancum until they came near the city Bountiful, and then they were met by Lehi, and a small army, which had been left to protect the city Bountiful.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. Teancum was retreating from the city Mulek. Since the city of Mulek is on the Sea East shore, the city Bountiful is westward of the city Mulek. There is no mention of any land between the land of Mulek and the land Bountiful.

ALMA 24:36 [52:28]: And now behold, when the chief captains of the Lamanites had beheld Lehi, with his army, coming against them, they fled in much confusion, lest perhaps they should not obtain the city Mulek, before Lehi should overtake them; for they were wearied because of their march, and the men of Lehi were fresh.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. There is enough distance between the city of Mulek and the city Bountiful to weary soldiers marching between the two cities. Other references in the Book of Mormon to armies being weary after a march are after marches of one to three days. If an army can be wearied after a day, then there is no indication of how many days it takes to march between the city of Mulek and the city Bountiful. So, no distance can be attributed to the term 'wearied'.

ALMA 24:39 [52:31]: And it came to pass that before the Lamanites had retreated far, they were surrounded by the Nephites; by the men of Moroni on one hand, and the men of Lehi on the other, all of whom were fresh and full of strength; but the Lamanites were wearied, because of their long march.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. The phrase 'long march' implies that there are at least a few days travel between the city of Mulek and the city Bountiful.

ALMA 24:48 [52:39]: But behold, there were many that would not; and those who would not deliver up their swords, were taken and bound, and their weapons of war were taken from them, and they were compelled to march with their brethren forth into the land Bountiful.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. The phrase 'there were many' refers to the army of Jacob. They went to the land Bountiful from a place between land Bountiful and the land of Mulek. There is no mention of any other land between the land of Mulek and the land Bountiful.

ALMA 24:51 [53:2]: And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city, and gave it unto Lehi.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. Moroni and Lehi went from the city Bountiful to the city of Mulek.

ALMA 24:59 [53:6]: And it came to pass that Moroni had thus gained a victory over one of the greatest of the armies of the Lamanites, and had obtained possession of the city Mulek, which was one of the strongest holds of the Lamanites in the land of Nephi; and thus he had also built a stronghold to retain his prisoners.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Mulek. The city Mulek is a stronghold. The city Bountiful is the 'stronghold to retain his prisoners'. The phrase 'land of Nephi' is a problem. Typically, the phrase 'land of the' refers to a general area that can contain more then one land. The phrase 'land of' typically refers to a single land. This phraseology can also be seen in this verse, 'one of the greatest armies,' to indicate that the army Moroni had defeated was just one of several armies that the Lamanites had. The city Mulek is far north of the land of Nephi that is south of the South Wilderness. The wording in this verse comes from the 1830 version of the Book of Mormon. It would have been more accurate had it said 'land of the Nephi' or 'people of Nephi'. Using Occam's Razor, this verse should refer to all the lands of the Nephi and not the land of Nephi that is southward of the South Wilderness. This is the only verse that does not conform to consistent phrase usage in the Book of Mormon.

ALMA 25:52 [55:26]: And it came to pass that when he had fortified the city Gid according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners should be taken to the city Bountiful.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gid and the land Bountiful. The term 'he' refers to Moroni. There is some route that allowed people to travel between the city of Gid and the city Bountiful.

ALMA 30:6 [63:5]: And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an exceeding curious man, therefore he went forth, and built him an exceeding large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the land northward, the narrow neck, the narrow pass, and the Sea West. The land Bountiful borders the land Desolation at a point in the narrow neck by the west sea. It also implies that the land Bountiful is located in the area referred to as the narrow neck. The land Desolation is by the Sea West. The land northward is far enough from the narrow neck to warrant going there by ship rather than over land. The phrase 'into the land northward' indicates that the land northward is outside the area defined as the narrow neck. That a ship is needed to get to the land northward indicates the land northward is not close to the narrow neck; its boundary did not begin just northward of the narrow neck.

ALMA 30:10 [63:7]: And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the land northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the land northward, the narrow neck, and the Sea West. Hagoth's ship went to the land northward and returned in less than a year. The borders of land Bountiful and the land Desolation by the narrow neck by the west sea was the port for the ship. The phrase 'to the land northward' indicates that the land northward did not border the narrow neck and did not include the land Desolation (which did border the narrow neck).

HELAMAN 1:25 [1:23]: And now he did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but he did march forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful; for it was his determination to go forth and cut his way through with the sword, that he might obtain the north parts of the land,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Zarahemla. The term 'he' refers to Coriantumr. The Lamanites were coming through the center of the lands of the Nephites and did not stay in the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'north parts of the land' indicates that the city Bountiful is north of the land of Zarahemla.

HELAMAN 2:38 [4:5]: And in the fifty and seventh year, they did come down against the Nephites to battle; and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the Judges, they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla: yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land near Bountiful, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to dissenters that left the Nephites to join the Lamanites. The Lamanites went to Zarahemla (from the south) to a land near the land Bountiful (northward of Zarahemla). The phrase 'yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful' means that there is more than one land between the land of Zarahemla and the land near Bountiful. Lands northward of the land of Zarahemla and generally between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful are the lands of Noah, Sidom, Laman, Josh, Gad, Kishkumen, Angola, and David. Of all of these cities and lands, the closest to the land Bountiful were Noah and David. The city of Jacobugath would eventually be northward of the land of Zarahemla, but had not been established at this point in time. The term 'near' indicates the land near Bountiful is next to the land Bountiful. Since it was between the land Bountiful and the land of Zarahemla, it would be southward of the land Bountiful.

HELAMAN 2:39 [4:6]: And the Nephites, and the armies of Moronihah, were driven even into the land of Bountiful; and there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day's journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the north country, and the Sea West. The land Bountiful went from the west sea (Sea West) to a point on the east that is a day's journey from the Sea West. There is no distinct location given for the point on the east. The line of fortification was not the entire width of the narrow neck. Alma 13:76 [22:32] gives a longer distance for the narrow neck as a journey of a day and a half. The north country is located in the same area as the land Bountiful.

HELAMAN 2:40 [4:8]: And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land southward, and the narrow neck. The land southward is a defined land. It is southward and in proximity to the land Bountiful and the narrow neck.

HELAMAN 2:77 [5:14]: And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful; and from thence forth to the city of Gid; and from the city of Gid to the city of Mulek;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Gid, and Mulek. The city Bountiful is in the land Bountiful. Due to the practice of naming a land by the same name as the city, it is presumed that the cities of Gid and Mulek are in lands of the same name. These cities are listed in order in the same verse. By the stated premise, there is a geographic order from the city Bountiful to city of Gid to the city of Mulek and they should all share a border. However, there is a unique construction to this verse that is not seen in the other verses that list more than one place. There is a phrase, 'from thence forth,' in this verse. In all other verses that contain geographic information, the term 'thence' is used not only to signify that one place is left for another, but the places referenced in those other verses did not join borders. The premise that the wording in the Book of Mormon is exact and consistent would indicate the use of the term here also means that the land Bountiful and the land of Gid do not border each other. Using Occam's Razor to resolve the two premises, this verse construction means that the land Bountiful and the land of Gid probably did not border each other, but there were also probably no lands between the land Bountiful and the land of Gid. The land of Gid and the land of Mulek bordered each other.

III NEPHI 2:32 [3:23]: And the land which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla and the land which was between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful; yea, to the line which was between the land Bountiful and the land Desolation;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the land southward, the narrow neck, the Sea East, the Sea West, the one place, and Zarahemla. The 'one place' in III Nephi 2:17 [3:13] is described here. It is a land between the land of Zarahemla and 'the line which was between the land Bountiful and the land Desolation'. The line between the land Desolation and land Bountiful describes the narrow neck between the Sea West and the Sea East. In III Nephi 2:34 [3:24], this one place is called the land southward. This description of the land southward defines the northward boundary of the land southward as the narrow neck. The southward boundary of the land southward is northward of the land of Zarahemla. So, the land southward is an area between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful.

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