The wilderness around Jerusalem is between Jerusalem and the Red Sea and next to Jerusalem. The wilderness around Jerusalem is lower in altitude than Jerusalem.
Commentaries (
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I NEPHI 1:26 [2:2]: And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem and a wilderness around Jerusalem. The phrase 'into the wilderness' indicates there is a wilderness outside Jerusalem.
I NEPHI 1:30 [2:5]: And he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem, Red Sea, river Laman, valley of Lemuel, and the wilderness around Jerusalem. The term 'he' refers to Lehi. The phrase 'came down' indicates the Red Sea is lower in elevation than Jerusalem. The wilderness around Jerusalem would also be in between Jerusalem and the Red Sea or along a route from Jerusalem to the Red Sea. This point where Lehi came down to the shore is a point three days of travel from the river Laman and the valley of Lemuel.
I NEPHI 1:62 [3:4]: Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem, the river Laman, the wilderness around Jerusalem, and the wilderness near the Red Sea. The term 'me' refers to Lehi. The term 'thou' refers to Nephi. The house of Laban is located in Jerusalem. This verse does not specify if 'wilderness' refers to the wilderness around Jerusalem or the wilderness near the Red Sea or if the two wildernesses are the same. So, the phrase 'bring them down hither into' indicates either the wilderness around Jerusalem or the wilderness near the Red Sea are lower in elevation than Jerusalem.
I NEPHI 1:90 [3:27]: And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem and the wilderness around Jerusalem. The term 'we' refers to Nephi and his brothers. The act of fleeing and being chased indicates the wilderness around Jerusalem as very near Jerusalem.
I NEPHI 1:103 [4:4]: Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur; nevertheless they did follow me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem and the wilderness around Jerusalem. The term 'I' refers to Nephi. The term 'they' refers to his brothers. This verse indicates that the wilderness around Jerusalem is outside the walls of the city of Jerusalem. The term 'follow me up' indicates the wilderness around Jerusalem is lower in elevation than the city of Jerusalem. Since the city of Jerusalem is located at the top of a hill, this illustrates the consistency of the term 'up' to mean higher in elevation.
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