The south countries refer to countries southward of the narrow neck. It is plural, so it refers to more than one country. There are insufficient references to determine which countries are included in this location and their relationship with other places.
Commentaries (
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MORMON 3:16 [6:15]: And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen,
Commentary: This verse references the places of Cumorah, hill Cumorah, the narrow neck, the north country, and the south countries. The term 'my' refers to Mormon. Some Nephites left the area of the hill Cumorah and went to the south countries. It is interesting to note that there is no mention of people escaping to the north, away from the general Lamanite population. Mormon had used the phrase 'north countries' a few chapters earlier in Mormon 1:24 [2:3]. Since the north countries refer to the countries in the narrow neck, the south countries would be countries southward of the narrow neck. There is insufficient information regarding which countries those might be.
MORMON 4:2 [8:2]: And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward, were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed; and my father also was killed by them; and I, even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Cumorah, hill Cumorah, and south countries. The battle at Cumorah refers to the hill Cumorah. The phrase 'country southward' is the same as the 'south countries' in Mormon 3:16 [6:15].
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