This is the land and city of Nephi (the city of Nephi also being called Lehi-Nephi). The land of Nephi was southward of the South Wilderness, and southward of the lands of Minon, Gideon, and Zarahemla. The South Wilderness was in between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The land of Nephi is in proximity to the Promised Land (Nephi's landing on the Sea West shore) and the lands of Mormon, Amulon, Midian, and Jershon. The land of Nephi borders the lands of Shilom, Helam, Middoni, and Onidah. The land of Nephi is northward of the land of Shilom.
Commentaries (
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II NEPHI 4:10 [5:7]: And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the Promised Land (I Nephi), the wilderness between Nephi and the Promised Land (I Nephi). The phrase 'for the space of many days' indicates that the wilderness between the Promised Land (I Nephi) and the land of Nephi is fairly large. The Promised Land (I Nephi) is not very close to the land of Nephi.
II NEPHI 4:12 [5:8]: And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephi; wherefore, we did call it Nephi.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi. This verse names the place as Nephi. Omni 1:20 [1:12] states the location as the land of Nephi, so 'place' may be a synonym with 'land'.
OMNI 1:20 [1:12]: For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord, should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the South Wilderness, the wilderness around Nephi, and the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla. The term 'he' refers to Mosiah. Mosiah and his people traveled northward to Zarahemla, so this places the wilderness around Nephi on the northward of the land of Nephi. There is also the South Wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. There are also other references to a wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla without specifically naming the South Wilderness. The term 'wilderness' in this verse could refer to any or all of these three wildernesses.
OMNI 1:22 [1:13]: And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and the wilderness around Nephi. The term 'they' refers to Mosiah and his people. The phrase 'out of the land into the wilderness' indicates the land of Nephi is not in the wilderness. The border of the wilderness around Nephi is near the border of the land of Nephi.
OMNI 1:23 [1:13]: And they were admonished continually by the word of God: and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness, until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the South Wilderness, the wilderness around Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Mosiah and his people. The phrase 'came down' indicates the land of Zarahemla is lower in elevation than the Wilderness around the land of Nephi. The wilderness in Omni 1:20 [1:12], 1:22 [1:13], and this verse do not differentiate between the wilderness around the land of Nephi, the South Wilderness, nor the wilderness that is between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla.
OMNI 1:48 [1:27]: And now, I would speak somewhat concerning a certain number who went up into the wilderness, to return to the land of Nephi:
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'I' refers to
Omni. This verse also identifies that there is a wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'went up to' indicates that the land of Nephi is higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. The relationship that the land of Nephi is higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla also occurs is the following verses; Omni 1:49 [1:27], Mosiah 5:1 [7:1], 5:3 [7:2], 5:5 [7:4], 5:12 [7:9], 5:17 [7:13], 5:60 [8:7], 6:6 [9:3], 12:1 [28:1], 12:9 [28:5], and Alma 14:105 [26:23], and 23:13 [51:11]. For brevity, not all of these verses are included in the commentary since they repeat the same elevation relationship.
OMNI 1:49 [1:27]: For there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance; wherefore, they went up into the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to a group of people that left the land of Zarahemla. The land of Nephi is referred to as the 'land of their inheritance' since it was the land first settled by Nephi. This is not to be confused with the 'land of their inheritance' that is sometimes referred to by the Lamanites as the Promised Land (I Nephi) that was first settled by Lehi. The phrase 'up into' means the wilderness between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi is higher in altitude than the land of Zarahemla.
MOSIAH 5:5 [7:4]: And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the wilderness, to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore, they wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days did they wander.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill north of Shilom, Nephi, Shilom, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Ammon and 15 other men. The phrase 'go up to' indicates the wilderness is higher in altitude from the land of Zarahemla. The hill north of Shilom is 40 days of wandering from the land of Zarahemla.
MOSIAH 5:7 [7:6]: And Ammon took three of his brethren, and their names were Amaleki, Helem, and Hem, and they went down into the land of Nephi;
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill north of Shilom, Nephi, and Shilom. The phrase 'went down' indicates the land of Nephi is lower in altitude than the hill north of Shilom. This is not a surprise but illustrates the consistency of the term 'down' to mean lower in elevation. Since the hill north of Shilom is on the northward of the land of Shilom, the land of Nephi would be to the northward of the land of Shilom as well.
MOSIAH 5:8 [7:7]: And behold, they met the king of the people, who was in the land of Nephi, and in the land of Shilom;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shilom. The term 'they' refers to Ammon and his brethren. The phrase 'the king' refers to King Limhi. The land of Nephi and land of Shilom are close to one another. In order to exercise authority over two lands, the lands must be next to each other, so the land of Shilom is next to the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 5:23 [7:16]: And now, King Limhi commanded his guards that they should no more bind Ammon, nor his brethren, but caused that they should go to the hill which was north of Shilom, and bring their brethren into the city, that thereby they might eat, and drink, and rest themselves from the labors of their journey;
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill north of the Shilom and Nephi. The wording indicates that there are no lands between the hill north of Shilom and the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 5:33 [7:21]: Therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of King Laman, who having entered into a treaty with King Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom; and the land round about;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shilom. King Zeniff was in the land of Nephi (city of Lehi-Nephi). The city of Shilom is in proximity to the land of Nephi. Since the city of Shilom is part of the possessions yielded up, the city of Shilom would be next to the city of Lehi-Nephi (Nephi).
MOSIAH 5:60 [8:7]: And the king said unto him, Being grieved for the afflictions of my people, I caused that forty and three of my people should take a journey into the wilderness, that thereby they might find the land of Zarahemla; that we might appeal unto our brethren to deliver us out of bondage;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness around Nephi, and Zarahemla. The term 'king' refers to King Limhi. The term 'him' refers to Ammon. The land of Nephi is in proximity to the wilderness. Since the 43 people sent to find the land of Zarahemla never found it, the reference to wilderness here does not necessarily mean the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The people were heading towards the land of Zarahemla to the north of the land of Nephi, so the wilderness is northward of the land of Nephi.
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 6:6 [9:3]: And yet, I being overzealous to inherit the land of our fathers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness, to go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'I' refers to Zeniff. The phrase 'go up to' indicates that the land of Nephi is higher in altitude than the land of Zarahemla. There is a wilderness between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 6:7 [9:4]: Nevertheless, after many days' wandering in the wilderness, we pitched our tents in the place where our brethren were slain, which was near to the land of our fathers.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'we' refers to Zeniff. The wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla is the size of many days wandering. The phrase 'near to the land of our fathers' indicates the wilderness extends from the land of Zarahemla to a point that is in proximity to the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 6:9 [9:6]: And I went in unto the king, and he covenanted with me, that I might possess the land of Lehi-Nephi, and the land of Shilom.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, Shemlon, and Shilom. The term 'I' refers to Zeniff. The term 'king' refers to King Laman who was in the land of Shemlon. To possess two lands, they should be next to each other. So, the land of Nephi and the land of Shilom are next to each other.
MOSIAH 6:11 [9:8]: And we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls of the city, yea, even the walls of the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shilom. The land of Nephi and the land of Shilom are next to each other. The phrase 'city of Lehi-Nephi' and the phrase 'land of Lehi-Nephi' in Mosiah 6:9 [9:6] confirms the practice of naming the city the same as the land. The phrase 'land of Nephi' in Mosiah 6:17 [9:14] indicates the land of Lehi-Nephi is the same as the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 6:17 [9:14]: For, in the thirteenth year of my reign in the land of Nephi, away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous host of Lamanites came upon them, and began to slay them, and to take of their flocks, and the corn of their fields.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, Shemlon, and Shilom. The land of Shilom is southward of the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 6:18 [9:15]: Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for protection.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shilom. The term 'they' refers to the people in the land of Shilom. They fled from the land of Shilom to the land of Nephi. This verse indicates that the land of Shilom is next to the land of Nephi in order for the land of Nephi to be a safe place to flee towards.
MOSIAH 6:36 [10:7]: But I had sent my spies out round about the land of Shemlon, that I might discover their preparation, that I might guard against them, that they might not come upon my people and destroy them.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shemlon. The term 'I' refers to Zeniff. Zeniff was in the land of Nephi at this time. The land of Shemlon is in proximity to the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 6:37 [10:8]: And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the land of Shilom, with their numerous hosts, men armed with bows, and with arrows, and with swords, and with cimeters, and with stones, and with slings;
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill north of Shilom, Nephi, Shemlon, Shilom, and the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom. The term 'they' refers to Lamanites from the land of Shemlon. This places the land of Shemlon in proximity to the land of Shilom. This verse does not directly mention the hill north of Shilom, but the phrase 'came up upon' indicates the Lamanites went to an area higher in elevation than the rest of the land of Shilom. The fact that there is also a hill north of Shilom would confirm the existence of higher ground northward of the land of Shilom. In Mosiah 6:41 [10:10], Zeniff and his army went up to meet the Lamanites in the area north of the land of Shilom, further confirming higher ground north of the land of Shilom. This places the elevated area and the hill north of Shilom between the land of Shemlon and the land of Nephi. The area north of Shilom, being north of Shilom, also indicates that it is also northward of the land of Shemlon. In Mosiah 10:11 [22:8], the area between the land of Shilom and the land of Nephi is described as a wilderness.
MOSIAH 6:39 [10:9]: And it came to pass that I caused that the women and children of my people should be hid in the wilderness;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and the wilderness around Nephi. With the Lamanites in the area southward of the land of Nephi, the wilderness around the city of Nephi in this verse would be northward of the city of Nephi.
MOSIAH 6:41 [10:10]: And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the Lamanites.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the Nephi, Shemlon, and Shilom. The term 'we' refers to Zeniff and his army that were located in the city of Nephi. The Lamanites had come from the land of Shemlon and were in an elevated area north of the land of Shilom. The phrase 'did go up' indicates the location of the Lamanites north of the land of Shilom is higher in elevation than the city of Nephi.
MOSIAH 7:18 [11:13]: And he caused a great tower to be built on the hill north of the land Shilom, which had been a resort for the children of Nephi, at the time they fled out of the land;
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill north of Shilom, Nephi, and Shilom. For the hill north of Shilom to be a resort for the people in the land of Nephi, it would be in close proximity to the land of Nephi. The hill north of Shilom is in the land of Shilom.
MOSIAH 9:32 [18:4]: And it came to pass that as many as did believe him, did go forth to a place which was called Mormon, having received its name from the king, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times, or at seasons, by wild beasts.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Mormon, Nephi, and the wilderness around Mormon. The phrase 'as many as did believe him' refers to the people in the land of Nephi. This verse indicates that the land of Mormon is in proximity to the land of Nephi. The phrase 'wild beasts' is used commonly in the Book of Mormon in conjunction with wildernesses, so this would indicate that the land of Mormon is in or near a wilderness. The phrase 'place of Mormon' indicates that the term 'place,' when it refers to an area, has the same meaning as 'land.'
MOSIAH 9:35 [18:7]: And it came to pass after many days, there were a goodly number gathered together to the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Mormon and Nephi. If people gathered together from the land of Nephi to the land of Mormon, then the land of Mormon is probably in close proximity to the land of Nephi. There is no implication that there are any lands between the land of Mormon and the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 9:68 [18:31]: And these things were done in the borders of the land, that they might not come to the knowledge of the king.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Mormon and Nephi. The phrase 'borders of the land' means the place of Mormon was near the outside of the land of Nephi. As a note, the land of Ishmael does not exist at this time but will exist in this general area.
MOSIAH 9:113 [20:6]: And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their daughters had been missing, they were angry with the people of Limhi; for they thought it was the people of Limhi.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shemlon. The Lamanites were in the land of Shemlon. The people of Limhi were in the land of Nephi. For the Lamanites to assume that the people of Limhi had kidnapped their daughters, the land of Nephi should be in close proximity to the land of Shemlon.
MOSIAH 9:114 [20:7]: Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of Nephi, to destroy the people of Limhi.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Shemlon. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanites in the land of Shemlon. The phrase 'went up' indicates the land of Nephi is higher than the land of Shemlon.
MOSIAH 9:115 [20:8]: And now Limhi had discovered them from the tower; even all their preparations for war did he discover; therefore he gathered his people together, and laid wait for them in the fields, and in the forests.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill north of Shilom, Nephi, and Shemlon. Limhi was using the tower on the hill north of Shilom. This makes the hill north of Shilom prominent enough to use as a lookout point. The tower north of Shilom is in a position to see an army traveling from the land of Shemlon to the land of Nephi. This also indicates that the land of Nephi is in close proximity to the land of Shemlon.
MOSIAH 9:166 [21:25]: Now King Limhi had sent, previous to the coming of Ammon, a small number of men to search for the land of Zarahemla; but they could not find it, and they were lost in the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the land of dry bones, Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. This verse indicates that it is not easy to find the land of Zarahemla from the land of Nephi. Since the men became lost trying to find the land of Zarahemla, the wilderness mentioned would be the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The men eventually found a land of dry bones rather than the land of Zarahemla.
MOSIAH 9:167 [21:26]: Nevertheless they did find a land which had been peopled; yea, a land which was covered with dry bones; yea, a land which had been peopled, and which had been destroyed;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Cumorah, the hill Cumorah, the hill Ramah, the land covered with dry bones, Nephi, and Zarahemla. The land of dry bones is in the same general direction (northward) from the land of Nephi as the land of Zarahemla. It is also the same location as the hill Ramah (which is the same as the hill Cumorah) in the land of Cumorah.
MOSIAH 9:168 [21:26]: And they having supposed it to be the land of Zarahemla, returned to the land of Nephi, having arrived in the borders of the land not many days before the coming of Ammon.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Cumorah, the hill Cumorah, the hill Ramah, the land covered with dry bones, and Nephi. The term 'they' refers to men from the land of Nephi trying to find the land of Zarahemla. There is no mention of becoming lost in the wilderness on the trip back to the land of Nephi from the land of dry bones (the land of Cumorah, hill Cumorah, and hill Ramah). The men could find their way back to the land of Nephi. There were sufficient landmarks between the land of dry bones (land of Cumorah) and the land of Nephi to be able to retrace their path.
MOSIAH 10:3 [22:2]: And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness around Nephi, and the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom. The term 'they' refers to King Limhi and his people. They were in the city of Nephi at this time. The phrase 'into the wilderness' indicates the wilderness outside the city of Nephi. This verse does not specifically mention the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Shilom even though King Limhi and his people did eventually go through a wilderness from the land of Nephi to the land of Shilom. This verse could be interpreted as any wilderness around the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 10:10 [22:7]: And I will go according to thy command, and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp, when they are drunken and asleep;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, Shilom, and the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom. The term 'I' refers to Gideon. The term 'pass' is described in Mosiah 10:8 [22:6] as 'the back pass through the back wall, on the back side of the city.' The pass is a secret indicating the Lamanites did not know about it. It is also big enough to drive their flocks and herds through it. From Mosiah 10:11 [22:8], the pass led into the wilderness between the city of Nephi and the land of Shilom.
MOSIAH 10:11 [22:8]: Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks and our herds, into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, Shilom, and a wilderness between Nephi and Shilom. The term 'we' refers to Gideon, King Limhi, and the Nephites. They are located in the land of Nephi at this time. There is a wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Shilom.
MOSIAH 10:14 [22:11]: And it came to pass that the people of King Limhi did depart by night into the wilderness with their flocks and their herds, and they went round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness, and bent their course towards the land of Zarahemla, being led by Ammon and his brethren.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Nephi, Shilom, the wilderness around Shilom, the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom, and Zarahemla. The phrase 'into the wilderness' refers to the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom. The phrase 'round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness' refers to traveling on the side of the land of Shilom opposite the side that borders the land of Nephi. This places the wilderness around the land of Shilom on the southward side of Shilom. The phrase 'bent their course' means they changed their course from traveling on the southward side of the land of Shilom to the direction of the land of Zarahemla. This would be misdirection. They first headed south from Nephi to Shilom, then 'went round about', and then turned northward in the direction of the land of Zarahemla. The direction they went 'round about' the land of Shilom could have been east-to-west or west-to-east. What can be determined is that the land of Shilom is not in the line between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. This verse indirectly relates to the land of Amulon since the event of King Limhi leaving the land of Nephi causes the Lamanites to find the land of Amulon. The Lamanites became lost in the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom or in the wilderness on the southward of the land Shilom and eventually found the land of Amulon.
MOSIAH 10:18 [22:15]: And now it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that the people of Limhi had departed out of the land by night, that they sent an army into the wilderness to pursue them;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Nephi, and the wilderness around Nephi. The army mentioned here left the land of Nephi. It is this same army that eventually found the land of Amulon. Limhi headed to the land of Shilom to the southward of the land of Nephi, so the wilderness mentioned in this verse would be to the southward of the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 10:19 [22:16]: And after they had pursued them two days, they could no longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Nephi, Shilom, the wilderness around Shilom, the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom, and Zarahemla. This army set out from the land of Nephi in the direction of the land of Shilom by following the tracks left by the people led by King Limhi. While the people of King Limhi circled around the land of Shilom and doubled back in order to get to the land of Zarahemla, the army lost their tracks and became lost. There is no indication from this verse whether the army lost the tracks in the wilderness between Nephi and Shilom or in the wilderness around Shilom. They could have lost them before going around the land of Shilom or somewhere between the land of Shilom and the land of Zarahemla. By way of the land of Shilom, the land of Zarahemla is at least two days away from the land of Nephi, most likely more since the army was not close enough to the land of Zarahemla when they lost the tracks to detect the presence of the city of Zarahemla. This army eventually found the land of Amulon, so the land of Amulon is at least two days journey from the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 11:1 [23:1]: Now Alma, having been warned of the Lord that the armies of King Noah would come upon them, and had made it known to his people, therefore they gathered together their flocks, and took of their grain, and departed into the wilderness before the armies of King Noah.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam, Nephi, and the wilderness between Helam and Nephi. Alma and his people were fleeing from the land of Nephi and eventually went to Helam. The wilderness mentioned would be the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Helam.
MOSIAH 11:3 [23:3]: And they fled eight days' journey into the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam, Nephi (Lehi-Nephi), and the wilderness between Helam and Nephi. The term 'they' refers to Alma and his people. They took their flocks and grain and fled from the land of Nephi and eventually arrived in the land of Helam. So, fleeing from the land of Nephi towards the land of Helam can take at least eight days, part of the way is through the wilderness.
MOSIAH 11:4 [23:4]: And they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant land; a land of pure water.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam and Nephi. It describes Alma's arrival in the land of Helam from the land of Nephi. It also identifies that the land of Helam is at the end of the eight days' journey.
MOSIAH 11:34 [23:30]: Now the armies of the Lamanites which had followed after the people of King Limhi, had been lost in the wilderness for many days.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Helam, Nephi, and the wilderness between Amulon and Nephi. The armies of the Lamanites were lost in the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Amulon. The phrase 'lost in the wilderness for many days' is in addition to the two days they were following the tracks left by King Limhi's people.
MOSIAH 11:35 [23:31]: And behold, they had found those priests of King Noah, in a place which they called Amulon; and they had begun to possess the land of Amulon, and had begun to till the ground.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Helam, Nephi, and Shilom. Combined with the information from Mosiah 10:19 [22:16] and 11:34 [23:30], Amulon is at least two days plus many days from the land and city of Nephi. This army never found the land of Helam as they traveled between the land of Nephi and the land of Amulon, so by traveling from the land of Nephi, towards the land of Shilom, and then to the land of Amulon, it is possible to go by the land of Helam without finding it. The direction of travel places the land of Amulon southward of the land of Nephi. Here is a reference where the terms 'place' and 'land of' are used to indicate the same location.
MOSIAH 11:39 [23:35]: And Amulon and his brethren did join the Lamanites, and they were traveling in the wilderness in search of the land of Nephi, when they discovered the land of Helam, which was possessed by Alma and his brethren.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Helam, Nephi, and the wilderness between Amulon and Helam. The army of the Lamanites found the land of Helam on their return trip from the land of Amulon to the land of Nephi. So, the land of Amulon is in proximity to the land of Nephi and the land of Helam, but not too near. The land of Helam is between the land of Amulon and the land of Nephi. Since Amulon, acting as a guide, is directing the return trip from the land of Amulon to the land of Nephi, the land of Helam lies on a fairly direct route from the land of Amulon and the land of Nephi. There is wilderness between the land of Amulon and the land of Helam.
MOSIAH 11:41 [23:37]: But after Alma had shewn them the way that led to the land of Nephi, the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam and Nephi. There is no mention of any lands in this verse, or any other verse, between the land of Helam and the land of Nephi from a point 'round about the land of Helam'.
MOSIAH 11:42 [23:38]: And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi; and a part of them returned to the land of Helam, and also brought with them the wives and the children of the guards who had been left in the land.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam and Nephi. The term 'them' refers to the Lamanites. It is possible to go to both lands from one location. There is no implication that there is any land between the land of Helam and the land of Nephi.
MOSIAH 13:5 [29:3]: Now Aaron had gone up to the land of Nephi, therefore the king could not confer the kingdom upon him; neither would Aaron take upon him the kingdom;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Zarahemla. The phrase 'gone up' indicates that the land of Nephi is higher in altitude than the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 1:80 [2:24]: Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and to our great astonishment, in the land of Minon, above the land of Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephi, we saw a numerous host of the Lamanites;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Minon, Nephi, the valley of Gideon, and Zarahemla. The term 'we' refers to Alma and his people. Amlicites, in the land of Minon, were within one day of the Nephites, who were camped in the valley of Gideon. The phrase 'in the course of' indicates the land of Minon is generally in line between the lands of Zarahemla and Nephi. This would put the land of Minon southward of the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'above the land of Zarahemla' means that the land of Minon is higher in altitude than the land of Zarahemla. This is in agreement with the land of Nephi being higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. Any land between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi would also be higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. Since the pursuit has gone from the land of Zarahemla to the valley of Gideon to the land of Minon and the river Sidon runs northward, this would put the valley of Gideon southward of the land of Zarahemla and also higher in altitude than the land of Zarahemla. This would also mean that the river in the valley of Gideon would flow into the river Sidon. This further refines the geography that the valley of Gideon is part of the drainage system of the river Sidon.
ALMA 3:3 [5:3]: I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you, that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Mormon and Nephi. The phrase 'the land which was in the borders of Nephi' refers to the land of Mormon. The means the land of Mormon bordered the land of Nephi.
ALMA 12:13 [17:8]: And thus they departed into the wilderness, with their numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the sons of Mosiah. The phrase 'into the wilderness' refers to the wilderness between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi. The phrase 'up to' indicates the land of Nephi is higher in altitude than the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 12:182 [20:2]: And the voice of the Lord came to Ammon, saying, Thou shalt not go up to the land of Nephi, for behold the king will seek thy life; but thou shalt go to the land of Middoni; for behold, thy brother Aaron, and also Muloki and Ammah are in prison.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael, Middoni, and Nephi. Ammon is in the land of Ishmael. The phrase 'go up' indicates the land of land of Nephi is higher in elevation than the land of Ishmael. This verse indicates that the land of Nephi and the land of Middoni are in proximity to the land of Ishmael.
ALMA 13:31 [22:1]: For after he departed from the land of Middoni, he was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi; even to the house of the king which was over all the land, save it were the land of Ishmael and he was the father of Lamoni.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael, Middoni, and Nephi. The term 'he' refers to Aaron. This verse indicates that the land of Middoni is in proximity to the land of Nephi and the land of Ishmael.
ALMA 13:35 [22:4]: And Aaron said unto the king, Behold the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael and Nephi. The term 'him' refers to Ammon. They are in the land of Nephi. This verse indicates that the land of Nephi is in proximity to the land of Ishmael.
ALMA 13:68 [22:27]: And it came to pass that the king sent a proclamation throughout all the land, amongst all his people who were in all his land, who were in all the regions round about, which was bordering even to the sea, on the east, and on the west, and which was divided from the land of Zarahemla by a narrow strip of wilderness,
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the Sea East, the Sea West, the South Wilderness, and the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla. The term 'king' refers to King Lamoni who was in the land of Nephi at this time. The Sea West and the Sea East bordered the region about the land of Nephi. The phrase 'narrow strip of wilderness' refers to the South Wilderness. This verse places the South Wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. Since the South Wilderness is a narrow strip, this does not seem to correspond to the many days required to travel through the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 13:69 [22:27]: Which ran from the sea east, even to the sea west, and round about on the borders of the sea-shore, and the borders of the wilderness which was on the north, by the land of Zarahemla, through the borders of Manti, by the head of the river Sidon, running from the east towards the west; and thus were the Lamanites and the Nephites divided.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, Nephi, the headwaters of the river Sidon, the Sea East, the Sea West, the wilderness around Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. This verse further describes the region controlled by King Lamoni who was in the city of Nephi. The phrase 'which ran from the sea east, even to the sea west' refers to the region controlled by King Lamoni as extending from the Sea East to the Sea West. The phrase 'wilderness which was on the north' indicates a wilderness around the land of Zarahemla and that the land of Zarahemla is north of the possessions of the Lamanites. This verse is describing the area on the westward portion of the lands of the Nephites and Lamanites, so the wilderness by the land of Zarahemla would be generally on the westward side of the land of Zarahemla. The land of Manti is by the headwaters of river Sidon.
ALMA 13:70 [22:28]: Now the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the wilderness, on the west, in the land of Nephi:
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and the wilderness around Nephi. This verse indicates that there is wilderness on the westward side of the land of Nephi.
ALMA 13:71 [22:28]: Yea, and also on the west of the land of Zarahemla, in the borders, by the sea-shore, and on the west, in the land of Nephi, in the place of their fathers' first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the sea-shore.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the Promised Land (I Nephi), the Sea West, and Zarahemla. This verse is describing the locations of idle Lamanites. The borders by the seashore were west of Zarahemla and on or near the sea (Sea West). They were also in the west parts of the land of Nephi all the way to the Sea West shore. The place of their father's first inheritance, the Promised Land (I Nephi), is located on the Sea West shore.
ALMA 13:74 [22:30]: And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation; it being so far northward, that it came into the land which had been peopled, and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken, which was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; it being the place of their first landing. And they came from there up into the south wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the narrow neck, Nephi, the Promised Land (I Nephi), the Sea West, and the South Wilderness. The term 'it' refers to the northern parts of the land mentioned in Alma 13:73 [22:29]. The northern parts of the land bordered the land Desolation and the land Bountiful. The phrase 'it came into the land which had been peopled, and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken' refers to the people described in the Book of Ether (the Jaredites). The Jaredites lived in the lands in the narrow neck indicating that the northern parts of the land extended to the narrow neck. This also places the land Desolation next to lands of the Jaredites in the narrow neck. This verse does not define the location of the bones, just where the people (the Jaredites) lived whose bones were found in the Land Cumorah. The phrase 'it being the place of their first landing' is the description of the Promised Land (I Nephi) and indicates that Lehi landed on the Sea West shore near the land Desolation. The phrase 'came from there up into the south wilderness' describes the journey in II Nephi 4:10 [5:7] of Nephi and his people from the Promised Land (I Nephi) to the land of Nephi which required traveling through the South Wilderness. The phrase 'up into' indicates the South Wilderness is higher in elevation than the Promised Land (I Nephi), a somewhat obvious reference since the Promised land (I Nephi) was on the seashore. But, it does show consistency in the use of the term 'up' to indicate a higher terrain elevation.
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.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the land northward, the land southward, the narrow neck, Nephi, and Zarahemla. The land northward is northward of the narrow neck. The land southward is southward of the narrow neck. This verse does not really define the relative locations of the lands of Nephi and Zarahemla.
ALMA 14:13 [23:8]: Now these are they who were converted unto the Lord: The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Ishmael, and also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Middoni, and also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city of Nephi, and also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilon;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael, Lemuel, Middoni, Midian, Nephi, Shemlon, Shilom, Shimnilon, and the South Wilderness. These lands are listed in the same verse, so each land borders the lands listed next to it. All of the lands are in the possessions of the Lamanites, so these lands were southward of the South Wilderness. The land of Midian is not listed in these lands, yet in later verses it is a land mentioned in verses that reference the lands of Nephi and Ishmael. It may be that the land of Midian is not a land in control of the Lamanites.
ALMA 14:25 [24:5]: Now when Ammon and his brethren, and all those who had come up with him, saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy their brethren, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there Ammon met all his brethren;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael, Lemuel, Middoni, Midian, Nephi, Shemlon, Shilom, and Shimnilon. The land of Midian is within the area of the lands of Nephi, Middoni, Ishmael, Shemlon, Shimnilon, Shilom and Lemuel to be among the lands of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (formerly Lamanites). The land Midian is not mentioned in the list of the other lands. Yet, it is in control by the Nephites. The phrase 'came forth' describes that Ammon traveled from the land of Nephi to the land of Midian. This information would put the land of Midian on the northward side of the other lands referenced in Alma 14:13 [23:8]. It may be a Nephite land just north of the south wilderness.
ALMA 14:26 [24:5]: And from thence they came to the land of Ishmael, that they might hold a council with Lamoni, and also with his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, what they should do to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Lemuel, Middoni, Midian, Nephi, Shemlon, Shilom, Shimnilon, and the South Wilderness. The terms 'they' refers to Ammon and his brethren. After coming from the land of Nephi to the land of Midian, they went from the land of Midian to the land of Ishmael. By Occam's Razor, the land of Midian should be in proximity to the land of Nephi and Ishmael. So, of the lands of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (Ishmael, Middoni, Nephi, Shilom, Lemuel, and Shimnilon), the lands of Nephi and Ishmael would be nearest the possessions of the Nephites, near the South Wilderness.
ALMA 14:60 [25:2]: And they did no more attempt to slay the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi at that time; but they took their armies and went over into the borders of the land of Zarahemla, and fell upon the people who were in the land of Ammonihah, and destroyed them.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah, Nephi (Lehi-Nephi), a ridge between Nephi and Ammonihah, and Zarahemla. The phrase 'in the borders' indicates that the land of Ammonihah is next to the land of Zarahemla. The term 'over' means there is a ridge or elevated terrain between the land of Nephi and the land of Ammonihah.
ALMA 14:73 [25:13]: And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that they could not overpower the Nephites, they returned again to their own land; and many of them came over to dwell in the land of Ishmael and the land of Nephi, and did join themselves to the people of God, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael, Nephi, a ridge between the East Wilderness and Ishmael and Nephi, and the East Wilderness. The Lamanites were in the East Wilderness at this time. The phrase 'came over' means the Lamanites came over a ridge in order to get to the land of Nephi and the land of Ishmael.
ALMA 15:14 [27:14]: And they gathered together all their people; yea, all the people of the Lord, and did gather together all their flocks and herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the wilderness which divided the land of Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, and came over near the borders of the land.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, a ridge between Nephi and Zarahemla, a wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Ammon and his people. The people went from the land of Nephi to the land of Zarahemla. There is a wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'came over' means there is a ridge between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 15:24 [27:23]: And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the land Jershon;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jershon and Nephi. The term 'we' refers to the people in Zarahemla. The land of Jershon and land of Nephi are in proximity to each other.
ALMA 21:66 [46:31]: And it came to pass that he took his army, and marched out into the wilderness, to cut off the course of Amalickiah in the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'he' refers to Moroni. Moroni was in the land of Zarahemla at this time. Amalickiah was in the land of Nephi at this time. The phrase 'in the wilderness' indicates there is a wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 21:84 [47:5]: Therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Onidah. The term 'he' refers to Amalickiah. Onidah is near the land of Nephi.
ALMA 21:101 [47:20]: And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his armies (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the city of Nephi, which was the chief city.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Onidah. Amalickiah marched from Onidah to the city of Nephi. This indicates that Onidah is probably near the land of Nephi. Because of the fleeing from the land of Nephi to Onidah and the marching from Onidah to the land of Nephi, Onidah may border the land of Nephi.
ALMA 21:111 [47:29]: Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over in the land of Zarahemla, and joined the people of Ammon;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, a ridge between Nephi and Zarahemla, a wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. Again, a wilderness separates the lands of Zarahemla and Nephi. The phrase 'came over' means there is a ridge between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 21:127 [48:6]: And it came to pass that they took their camp, and moved forth towards the land of Zarahemla, in the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah, Nephi, and the wilderness between Ammonihah and Nephi, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to an army of Lamanites. This verse is part of a chiasmus that includes Alma 21:149 [49:1] that indicates the Lamanite army went to the land of Ammonihah. These two verses indicate the way to land of Zarahemla from the land of Nephi via the land of Ammonihah is, at least part of the way, through the wilderness.
ALMA 21:149 [49:1]: And now it came to pass, in the eleventh month of the nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month, the armies of the Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of Ammonihah.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah, Nephi, and the wilderness between Ammonihah and Nephi. The armies of the Lamanites had come from the land of Nephi. This verse is part of a chiasmus with Alma 21:127 [48:6] that describes a wilderness between the land of Ammonihah and the land of Nephi.
ALMA 21:160 [49:10]: Now if King Amalickiah had come down out of the land of Nephi, at the head of his army, perhaps he would have caused the Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah; for behold, he did care not for the blood of his people.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah and Nephi. The phrase 'down out of' means the city of Ammonihah is lower in elevation than the land of Nephi.
ALMA 22:8 [50:8]: And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course from the east sea to the west.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi, the Sea East, and the Sea West. This verse describes the general shape of the land of Nephi. A 'straight course' means a straight line. This implies the shape of the land of Nephi is oblong and was longer along the east-west axis than the north-south axis. It does not refer directly to the West Sea. It also does not directly state that the land of Nephi ran from the east sea to a point on the west, but rather the course (the line) ran from the Sea East to a point on the west.
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;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, Nephi, river Sidon, the headwaters of the river Sidon, the Sea West, the East Wilderness, and Zarahemla. The line between the Nephites and Lamanites ran from the West Sea past the headwaters of the river Sidon to the East Wilderness. This puts the headwaters of the river Sidon between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The land of Manti is near the headwaters of the river Sidon, so the land of Manti is also between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla.
ALMA 25:12 [54:12]: And behold, if ye do not this, I will come against you with my armies; yea, even I will arm my women and my children, and I will come against you, and I will follow you even into your own land, which is the land of our first inheritance; yea, and it shall be blood for blood; yea, life for life; and I will give you battle, even until you are destroyed from off the face of the earth.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and the Promised Land (I Nephi). The term 'I' refers to Moroni. The term 'you' refers to Ammoron. Ammoron and the Lamanites are in the land of Nephi at this time. The phrase 'even into your own land' indicates the Lamanites control the land of our first inheritance, the Promised Land (I Nephi).
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