Sea East

The Sea East is eastward of all places. The lands near the Sea East shore are the lands of Ablom, Bountiful, Mulek, Gid, Omner, Morianton, Lehi, Moroni, Jerusalem, Mocum, and Onihah. The East Wilderness is near the Sea East. The narrow neck runs from the Sea East to the Sea West. The South Wilderness borders the Sea East.

Commentaries (view it on a map)

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 13:72 [22:29]: And also there were many Lamanites on the east by the sea-shore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the Nephites were nearly surrounded by the Lamanites;

Commentary: This verse references the places of the Sea East and Zarahemla. From the previous verse, this verse is further clarifying where the Lamanites were in relation to the land of Zarahemla. The entire land is surrounded by water, so there is no surprise that the Sea East shore is east of the land of Zarahemla.

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;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the narrow neck, the Sea East, and the Sea West. This verse does not directly mention the Sea East. The literal interpretation is that a Nephite can journey from a point on the east to the Sea West in a day and a half. This verse also does not infer that the Nephite is traveling by foot or that the point on the east is the Sea East. Parts of the journey could have been made by canoe on a river. Refer to Appendix D for notable world records for running and paddling. Given the conditions for the Nephite were not as optimal as the record setting conditions, the maximum distance expressed by this verse is no more than about 200 miles.

ALMA 13:78 [22:33]: And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited the land Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The land Bountiful was in control by the Nephites. They were living on the line between the land Bountiful and land Desolation, from the Sea West to a point east. The term 'east' refers to a point on the east and does not directly refer to the Sea East.

ALMA 15:23 [27:22]: And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Jershon, and the Sea East. The land of Jershon is south (and east) of the land Bountiful and by the Sea East. The land of Jershon is by the Sea East. The grammar in this verse is confusing. The phrase 'which joins the land Bountiful' is not clear what it refers to, either the land of Jershon or the sea.

ALMA 16:80 [31:3]: Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum, the hill Onidah, Jershon, the Sea East, the South Wilderness, and Zarahemla. The phrase 'nearly' means close, but not next to the Sea East seashore. The land of Antionum is south of the land of Jershon and bordered the South Wilderness. All clauses using 'which' in this verse except the last clause refer to the land of Antionum. This verse indirectly locates the hill Onidah in the land of Antionum since Alma later speaks to the Zoramites on the hill Onidah.

ALMA 20:25 [43:22]: Behold, now it came to pass, that they durst not come against the Nephites in the borders of Jershon; therefore they departed out of the land of Antionum, into the wilderness, and took their journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of the river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti, and take possession of the land; for they did not suppose that the armies of Moroni would know whither they had gone.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum, Jershon, Manti, river Sidon, the headwaters of the river Sidon, the Sea East, and the South Wilderness. The phrase 'borders of Jershon' implies the land of Antionum bordered the land of Jershon. There is wilderness near the land of Jershon and the head of the river Sidon. The land of Manti is near the head of the river Sidon on the opposite side of the river from the land of Antionum. From previous verses, the land of Manti is on the westward side of the river Sidon. This means the land of Antionum is on the eastward side of the river Sidon and near the Sea East. The wilderness at the head of the river Sidon is referenced in other verses as the South Wilderness.

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 22:9 [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, 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-shore, and possess the land.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the Sea East, the East Wilderness, the South Wilderness, and Zarahemla. The land of Zarahemla is in general proximity to the East Wilderness. The East Wilderness has a seashore on the east side of the wilderness. This would be the Sea East. The phrase 'north of the lands of their own possessions' means the East Wilderness is north of the South Wilderness that separates the possessions of the Lamanites from the Nephites. The term 'even' indicates the East Wilderness extended to the borders that were by the seashore, thus the East Wilderness is next to the Sea East.

ALMA 22:14 [50:13]: And it came to pass that the Nephites began the foundation of a city; and they called the name of the city Moroni; and it was by the east sea; and it was on the south by the line of the possessions of the Lamanites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Moroni, the Sea East, and the South Wilderness. The city of Moroni is by the Sea East. The phrase 'on the south' indicates it was on the southern parts of the lands of the Nephites. The phrase 'by the line of the possessions of the Lamanites' refers to the South Wilderness. So, the land of Moroni is next to the South Wilderness.

ALMA 22:15 [50:14]: And they also began a foundation for a city between the city of Moroni and the city of Aaron, joining the borders of Aaron and Moroni; and they called the name of the city, or the land, Nephihah.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Aaron, Moroni, Nephihah, and the Sea East. The city of Nephihah (and the land of Nephihah) is between the city of Moroni and the city of Aaron. The phrase 'joining the borders of Aaron and Moroni' means that Aaron and Moroni are also 'lands' and all three lands were connected border-to-border. The phrase 'city, or the land, Nephihah' confirms the practice of giving both the primary city and the land the same name. The land of Moroni is on the Sea East shore. The land of Nephihah is near, but not on the Sea East shore. This means that the land of Aaron is likely not on the Sea East shore, but is inland. That the lands shared borders and the land of Moroni is by the Sea East indicates the lands of Aaron and Nephihah were in the general proximity of the Sea East.

ALMA 22:16 [50:15]: And they also began, in that same year, to build many cities on the north; one in a particular manner which they called Lehi, which was in the north, by the borders of the sea-shore. And thus ended the twentieth year.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi and the Sea East. The phrase 'which was in the north' refers to north of the lands of the Lamanites. This means north of the south wilderness, not the most northward lands. The city of Lehi is by the Sea East seashore.

ALMA 22:26 [50:25]: And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the Judges, there would also have been peace among the people of Nephi, had it not been for a contention which took place among them concerning the land of Lehi, and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of Lehi; both of which were on the borders by the sea-shore.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi, Morianton, and the Sea East. The land of Morianton joined the land of Lehi, so the land of Morianton is next to the land of Lehi. Both of these lands were on the Sea East seashore.

ALMA 22:35 [50:34]: And it came to pass that they did not head them, until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation: and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward; yea, by the sea, on the west, and on the east.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Desolation, the land northward, the narrow pass, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The term 'they' refers to an army sent by Moroni to stop Morianton and his people from going to the land northward. The term 'them' refers to Morianton and his people. Morianton was coming from the land of Morianton and moving towards the land Desolation. The land Desolation is by the Sea West, so the phrase 'narrow pass which led by the sea' indicates the narrow pass is also by the Sea West. The phrase 'yea, by the sea' modifies the object directly in front of the term 'yea'. So, the land northward is by the sea. The phrase 'on the west, and on the east' is difficult to interpret. On the one hand, phrases after a 'yea' term describe the phrases in front of the 'yea' term. So, 'by the sea' describes 'the land northward'. The phrase 'on the west' describes 'they did head them' indicating they were headed on the west parts of the land. The phrase 'on the east' describes 'the borders of the land Desolation' indicating the eastern border of the land Desolation. The phraseology in the Book of Mormon is not conclusive about how to interpret clauses that are not immediately in front or behind a 'yea' term. The phrase 'on the west, and on the east' could also mean that Teancum had split his army into a west part and an east part to protect the entire entrance to the narrow pass. Neither interpretation really contradicts the other nor adds unique information about the relative locations of the geography.

ALMA 23:27 [51:22]: Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the sea-shore.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Moroni, the Sea East, and the South Wilderness. The land of Moroni is in proximity to the Lamanite possessions near the South Wilderness and the Sea East shore.

ALMA 23:31 [51:25]: But it came to pass that Amalickiah would not suffer the Lamanites to go against the city of Nephihah to battle, but kept them down by the sea-shore, leaving men in every city to maintain and defend it;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Moroni, Nephihah, and the Sea East. The city of Moroni is by the seashore. The phrase 'down by' means the city of Nephihah is higher in elevation than the city of Moroni. Again, with the city of Nephihah higher in elevation, the city of Nephihah may be near, but not on, the seashore.

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 23:39 [51:32]: And it came to pass that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents in the borders on the beach by the sea-shore, and after this manner were they driven.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land northward, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The borders of the land Bountiful are in proximity to a beach by the seashore. There is no direct reference whether the seashore is the Sea East or the Sea West. Alma 23:36 [51:30] describes Amalickiah trying to get to the land northward and Alma 24:2 [52:2] describes the army of Amalickiah abandoning the attempt to get to the land northward. So, the seashore would be by the sea leading to the land northward, which would be the Sea West. There is precedent for this seashore to be the Sea West shore. Morianton and his people came from the land of Morianton on the Sea East shore to the narrow pass on the Sea West shore that lead to the land northward. Amalickiah came from the city of Mulek on the Sea East shore with the intent to get to the land northward.

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 24:27 [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 29:29 [62:25]: And now when Moroni saw that they were fleeing before him, he did cause that his men should march forth against them, and slew many, and surrounded many others and took them prisoners; and the remainder of them fled into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders of the sea-shore.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Moroni, Nephihah, and the Sea East. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanites. The Lamanites fled from the city of Nephihah to the land of Moroni. The land of Moroni is in proximity to the land of Nephihah and next to the Sea East shore.

ALMA 29:36 [62:32]: And it came to pass that Moroni and his army did pursue them from city to city, until they were met by Lehi and Teancum; and the Lamanites fled from Lehi and Teancum, even down upon the borders by the sea-shore, until they came to the land of Moroni. Commentary: This verse references the places of Lehi, Moroni, and the Sea East. The term 'them' refers to the Lamanite army. Moroni pursued them from the land of Lehi until they came to the land of Moroni. The land of Moroni would be south of the land of Lehi (closer to the possessions of the Lamanites). HELAMAN 2:8 [3:8]: And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go forth from the land southward to the land northward, and did spread insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south, to the sea north, from the sea west, to the sea east.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land northward, the land southward, the Sea East, the Sea North, the Sea South, the Sea West, and Zarahemla. The terms 'from' and 'to' imply that the land southward and land northward were separate lands. This is the only reference to the sea north and the sea south and there is insufficient information in this verse to place the sea north and sea south in relation to any other location. There is a chiasmus matching this verse and Helaman 2:3 [3:3] that mentions the people spread from the land of Zarahemla. This puts the land of Zarahemla close to the land southward.

HELAMAN 2:39 [4:6]: And the Nephites, and the armies of Moronihah, were driven even into the land of Bountiful; and there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day's journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the north country, and the Sea West. The land Bountiful went from the west sea (Sea West) to a point on the east that is a day's journey from the Sea West. There is no distinct location given for the point on the east. The line of fortification was not the entire width of the narrow neck. Alma 13:76 [22:32] gives a longer distance for the narrow neck as a journey of a day and a half. The north country is located in the same area as the land Bountiful.

III NEPHI 2:32 [3:23]: And the land which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla and the land which was between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful; yea, to the line which was between the land Bountiful and the land Desolation;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, Desolation, the land southward, the narrow neck, the Sea East, the Sea West, the one place, and Zarahemla. The 'one place' in III Nephi 2:17 [3:13] is described here. It is a land between the land of Zarahemla and 'the line which was between the land Bountiful and the land Desolation'. The line between the land Desolation and land Bountiful describes the narrow neck between the Sea West and the Sea East. In III Nephi 2:34 [3:24], this one place is called the land southward. This description of the land southward defines the northward boundary of the land southward as the narrow neck. The southward boundary of the land southward is northward of the land of Zarahemla. So, the land southward is an area between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful.

III NEPHI 4:8 [8:8]: And the city of Zarahemla did take fire; and the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gad, Jacobugath, Josh, Kishkumen, Laman, Moroni, the Sea East, and Zarahemla. The city of Moroni is near enough to the Sea East shore to sink into the depths of the sea. By Occam's Razor, the city of Zarahemla would be near the other cities destroyed by fire. These would be the cities of Kishkumen, Gad, Josh, Laman, and Jacobugath.

III NEPHI 4:29 [9:4]: And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem, Mocum, Moroni, Onihah, and the Sea East. The city Moroni is close enough to the Sea East shore to be sunk into the sea. By Occam's Razor, the city of Moroni would be near the other cities that were also covered by the sea. These would be the cities of Jerusalem, Mocum, and Onihah.

III NEPHI 4:32 [9:7]: Yea, and the city of Onihah, and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum, and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants thereof, and waters have I caused to come up in the stead thereof,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem, Mocum, Onihah, and the Sea East. These cities were covered by water, which means they were near the seashore. They are listed in geographic order meaning they shared borders in the order listed. Since the lands of Mormon, Antionum, and Moroni are northward of the land of Jerusalem, the cities of Mocum and Onihah would be southward of the land of Jerusalem.

MORMON 1:61 [2:29]: And the Lamanites did give unto us the land northward; yea, even to the narrow passage which led into the land southward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land northward, the land southward, the narrow neck, the narrow pass, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The term 'passage' is the only time this term is used in the Book of Mormon. The term 'pass' is also used differently than 'neck'. The narrow pass is between the land northward and the land southward. This puts it in or near the narrow neck. The narrow neck runs from the Sea West to the Sea East. The term 'passage' indicates a length. So, a narrow passage indicates that part of the distance from the narrow neck to the land northward is a narrow area that was navigable. The phrase 'into the land southward' indicates that the narrow passage is outside the boundaries of the land southward. This would put the narrow passage northward of the land southward. The phrase 'which led' indicates the boundary of the land southward is near to the narrow passage, so the northern boundary of the land southward is near the narrow neck.

ETHER 4:4 [9:3]: And came over by the place where the Nephites were destroyed, and from thence eastward, and came to a place which was called Ablom, by the sea-shore, and there he pitched his tent, and also his sons and his daughters, and all his household, save it were Jared and his family.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land of Ablom, hill Cumorah, hill Ramah, hill Shim, ridge between hill Shim and hill Cumorah, and the Sea East. 'He' refers to Omer. The phrase 'where the Nephites were destroyed' means the hill Cumorah. From Ether 6:83 [15:11], the hill Ramah is the same as the hill Cumorah. The term 'thence' indicates Ablom is outside the area around hill Cumorah. Traveling eastward to the sea indicates that Ablom is eastward from hill Ramah/hill Cumorah and on the Sea East shore. The phrase 'came over' means they traveled over elevated terrain from the hill Shim to get to the hill Cumorah. So, there is a ridge between the hill Shim and the hill Ramah/hill Cumorah. Hill Shim is south of the hill Ramah/Cumorah since they were traveling north when they passed the hill Shim and then turned east at the hill Ramah/Cumorah.

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.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the narrow neck, the great city by the narrow neck, the Sea East, and the Sea West. The term 'they' refers to Lib and his people. The phrase 'the sea' is not plural. So, the location of the great (unnamed) city is by either the Sea East or the Sea West, whichever sea divided the land. The lands so far described in the Book of Ether were close to the Promised Land (Ether) that is on the Sea West shore, so the great city would have been on the Sea West shore in the area of the narrow neck.

ETHER 6:62 [14:26]: And it came to pass that Shiz did pursue Coriantumr eastward, even to the borders of the sea-shore, and there he gave battle unto Shiz for the space of three days,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Ablom, the battle site of Shiz and Coriantumr by the Sea East shore, plains of Agosh, and the Sea East. The pursuit was eastward from the plains of Agosh. The seashore is east of everything, which means the Sea East. Based on the directions of the pursuit, the location of the battle should be in the general proximity to the land of Ablom. There is no name given for this location so I gave it the name of the battle site of Shiz and Coriantumr by the Sea East shore.

ETHER 6:63 [14:27]: And so terrible was the destruction among the armies of Shiz, that the people began to be frightened, and began to flee before the armies of Coriantumr;

Commentary: This verse references the places of the battle site of Shiz and Coriantumr by the Sea East shore, Corihor, and the Sea East. The tide of battle has turned and the armies of Coriantumr are now pursuing the armies of Shiz back westward from the Sea East shore towards the land of Corihor.

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