ALMA 22:9 [50:9]: And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all the Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the lands of their own possessions [south of the south wilderness], he caused that the inhabitants who were in the land of Zarahemla, and in the land round about, should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders, by the [sea East] sea-shore, and possess the land.
ALMA 22:11 [50:11]: And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites, in the east wilderness: yea, and also on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi; from the west sea, running by the head of the river Sidon [which was located in the south wilderness];
- Commentary: These verses describe an east wilderness that is by the sea East shore and extends northward of the south wilderness.
ALMA 29:39 [62:34]: And it came to pass that Moroni, and Lehi, and Teancum, did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness, on the south [south wilderness], and in the borders by the wilderness, on the east [east wilderness]; and thus they did encamp for the night.
- Commentary: This verse further describes that the southern end of the east wilderness is adjacent to the south wilderness as both are mentioned on the borders of the same land (land of Moroni).
Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Mexico) Model Assessment:
The Belize Mountains extend along the Gulf of Honduras from southern Belize from just north of the mountainous range (south wilderness) that runs from the sea East to the Sea West to the middle portion of Belize.
East Wilderness (Isthmus of Tehuantepec)
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Heartland Model Assessment:
The Heartland model specifies three necks (see reference). There is a statement made, 'There is ONLY ONE "Narrow Neck of Land" in the entire Book of Mormon. Ether 10:20' [RLDS 4:68]. There are actually two references for the narrow neck by name:
ETHER 4:68 [10:20]: And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land.
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.
The descriptions in the Book of Mormon clearly state that the way to the land northward was through the lands of Desolation and Bountiful. The Book of Mormon is also consistent that there is only one region associated with those lands - a narrow neck or small neck. And, the narrow neck was adjacent to the sea West. Alma 13:75-77 and Alma 30:6-10 both describe the sea west coast, one using the term 'small neck' and one using the term 'narrow neck.' These verses equate the two terms as being synonymous. The land Desolation was the area populated by the Jaredites, so the 'narrow neck of land' is in the same area as the necks described in Alma. Since the narrow neck and small neck descriptions discuss the same, single region, the three different Heartland Model narrow necks are inconsistent with the Book of Mormon descriptions.
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.
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;
ALMA 13:77 [22:32]: And thus the land of Nephi, and the land of Zarahemla, were nearly surrounded by water; there being a small neck of land between the land northward, and the land southward.
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.
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.
ETHER 4:68 [10:20]: And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land.
Candidate Narrow Neck locations:
These locations meet the basic requirements for being a narrow neck.
- Width at least 15 to 200 miles wide
- Narrow neck being generally west-to-east
- Land northward and southward wider than the neck
Baja California
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Denmark
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Egypt
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England
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Florida
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Italy
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Korea
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Malaysia
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Mexico
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Nicaragua
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Panama
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Russia
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Turkey
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Turkey/Georgia/Russia
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