There was a wilderness between the valley Alma and the land of Zarahemla. It was a large wilderness that requires several days to travel through.
Commentaries (
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MOSIAH 11:75 [24:24]: And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley, and took their journey into the wilderness.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam, the valley Alma, and the wilderness between the valley Alma and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Alma and the people with him. The term 'into' indicates that the valley Alma is not in the wilderness. Since Alma and his people were fleeing from the land of Helam, the wilderness between the valley Alma and Zarahemla is on the side of the valley opposite the direction of Helam.
MOSIAH 11:76 [24:25]: And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days, they arrived to the land of Zarahemla; and King Mosiah did also receive them with joy.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Helam, valley Alma, the wilderness between the valley Alma and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The valley Alma is 12 days from the city of Zarahemla (while driving herds). Counting the one day from the land of Helam to the valley Alma, it is 13 days (while driving herds) from the land of Helam to the city of Zarahemla. There are six lands from the land of Helam to the land of Zarahemla. This averages about two days to cross each land.
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