This is an alternative description of the land of Cumorah. Also see:
Land Of Many Waters, Rivers And Fountains
Commentaries (
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MOSIAH 5:61 [8:8]: And they were lost in the wilderness, for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla, but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many waters;
Commentary: This verse references the places of the land of many waters, Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to 43 men that King Limhi sent to find the land of Zarahemla, became lost, and found the land of dry bones. The 'land among many waters' is an alternative description of the land of dry bones (the land of Cumorah). Going from the land of Nephi to the land of Zarahemla, it is possible to get lost in the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. It is also possible to go to the land of many waters from the land of Nephi while bypassing the land of Zarahemla. The wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla is the same wilderness as the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of many waters. The land was not yet known as the land of Cumorah since the Nephites had not populated that land at this time.
MOSIAH 5:62 [8:8]: Having discovered a land which was covered with bones of men, and of beasts, etc., and was also covered with ruins of buildings of every kind:
Commentary: This verse references the places of the land of Cumorah, the land covered with dry bones, and the land of many waters. The land of many waters (the land of Cumorah and the land of dry bones) contained ruins of buildings. This is logical since the armies that fought at the hill Ramah spent four years preparing for the final battle. The phrase 'bones of men, and of beasts' is consistent with the description that it is a land of dry bones. There is no description of finding any people in the land, just ruins. If they had found people in this land, the people would have informed them that the land was not the land of Zarahemla. This indicates the land of Cumorah was not yet peopled by anyone, even Nephites.
MOSIAH 5:64 [8:9]: And for a testimony that the things that they have said are true, they have brought twenty-four plates, which are filled with engravings; and they are of pure gold.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Cumorah, the land covered with dry bones, and the land of many waters. This verse, along with the verses of Mosiah 9:169 [21:27] and Ether 6:108 [15:33], confirms that the land of many waters is the same as the land of dry bones and the land of Cumorah.
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