Mulek

This is the land and city of Mulek. The land of Mulek is on the Sea East shore. The land of Mulek is westward of the land Bountiful and several days march from the city of Bountiful. The land of Mulek bordered the land of Gid. The land of Mulek is northward of the lands of Gid, Omner, Morianton, Lehi, and Nephihah. There is a general line between the land of Mulek, the land Bountiful, the narrow pass, and the land northward. There is a possibility that there are no lands between the land of Mulek and the land Bountiful. There is a wilderness west of the city of Mulek.

Commentaries (view it on a map)

ALMA 23:32 [51:26]: And thus he went on, taking possession of many cities: the city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the city of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders, by the sea-shore.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gid, Lehi, Morianton, Moroni, Mulek, Nephihah, Omner, and the Sea East. The term 'he' refers to Amalickiah, the leader of the Lamanite army. The cities of Lehi and Morianton are in lands with the same name as the city. By practice, all of these cities should be in a land by the same name. These cities are listed in geographical order, so they share a border with the cities listed next to them. Combined with the other information about the city of Nephihah, the city of Nephihah is between the city of Moroni and the city of Lehi, yet further inland. Since the land of Moroni joins the south border of the land of Lehi, the cities listed here extend the opposite direction. So, they are listed from south to north. Also, since the land of Moroni is on the Sea East shore and borders the land of Lehi on the south, the only place for the land of Nephihah to join the border of the land of Lehi is on the westward border of the land of Moroni.

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 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 24:15 [52:13]: And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while he had commanded those whom he had left to possess the cities which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on the borders by the east sea; and should take possession of their lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of their armies.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gid, Lehi, Morianton, Mulek, Nephihah, Omner, and the Sea East. The term 'he' refers to King Ammoron. The borders by the east sea that he controlled were the city of Nephihah, the city of Lehi, the city of Morianton, the city of Omner, the city of Gid, and the city of Mulek (see Alma 23:32 [51:26]).

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 24:27 [52:22]: Therefore he caused that Teancum should take a small number of men, and march down near the sea-shore; and Moroni and his army, by night, marched into the wilderness, on the west of the city Mulek;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Mulek, the Sea East, and a wilderness west of the city of Mulek. The city Mulek is near the Sea East shore. There is a wilderness on the westward side of city Mulek.

ALMA 24:30 [52:23]: And as Teancum saw the armies of the Lamanites coming out against him, he began to retreat down by the sea-shore northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Mulek and the Sea East. Teancum retreated from the wilderness west of the city of Mulek down to the seashore. The term 'down' indicates the wilderness is higher in elevation than the seashore. Although this is obvious, it shows the consistency in using the terms 'up' and 'down'. The seashore northward of the city of Mulek runs in a northward (and southward) direction. This is consistent with the wilderness being west of the city of Mulek.

ALMA 24:32 [52:24]: And while Teancum was thus leading away the Lamanites who were pursuing them in vain, behold, Moroni commanded that a part of his army who were with him, should march forth into the city, and take possession of it.

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

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 24:42 [52:34]: Moroni being in their course of march, therefore Jacob was determined to slay them, and cut his way through to the city of Mulek.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Mulek. The army of Moroni was between the army of Jacob and the city of Mulek. The army of Jacob was 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.

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.

HELAMAN 2:128 [6:9]: And it came to pass that they became exceeding rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; and they did have an exceeding plenty of gold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south, and in the land north.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi and Mulek. The phrase 'land south' is the land of Lehi. The land north is the land of Mulek. The land of Mulek is north of the land of Lehi. Note that the reference is not 'land southward' and 'land northward'. These were different lands from the land south and the land north.

HELAMAN 2:129 [6:10]: Now the land south was called Lehi, and the land north was called Mulek, which was after the son of Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the land south.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi and Mulek. The land south is called Lehi. The land north is called Mulek. This means the land of Mulek is northward of the land of Lehi.

III NEPHI 2:39 [4:1]: And it came to pass that in the latter end of the eighteenth year, those armies of robbers had prepared for battle, and began to come down, and to sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness, and their strongholds, and their secret places,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi, Mulek, and the East Wilderness. This verse indicates a close relationship between hills, mountains, and wildernesses. This wilderness is near the land of Lehi and the land of Mulek as described in III Nephi 2:40 [4:1]. This indicates that the wilderness here is the East Wilderness.

III NEPHI 2:40 [4:1]: And began to take possession of the lands both which was in the land south, and which was in the land north, and began to take possession of all the lands which had been deserted by the Nephites, and the cities which had been left desolate.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi, Mulek, and the East Wilderness. Robbers took possession of the land south and land north. The land south is the land of Lehi. The land north is the land of Mulek.

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