This is the South Wilderness. The South Wilderness lies between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla. The South Wilderness is narrow and stretches from the Sea West to the Sea East. It is southward of the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla and southward of the East Wilderness. Nephi's landing in the Promised Land is in proximity to the South Wilderness. The headwaters of the river Sidon are in the South Wilderness. The lands of Moroni, Antionum, Jershon, Antionum, Mormon, Nephi, Manti, Siron, and possibly Midian are in proximity to the South Wilderness. Review the geographical summaries for these lands for commentary about their placement in relation to the South Wilderness.
Commentaries (
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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 1:23 [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.
MOSIAH 11:48 [24:3]: And he was king over a numerous people; and he appointed teachers of the brethren of Amulon, in every land which was possessed by his people;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Amulon, Helam, Shemlon, Shilom and the South Wilderness. The term 'he' refers to Laman, the king of the Lamanites. He is king over several regions south of the South Wilderness. This means that the land of Amulon is in the area southward of the South Wilderness.
MOSIAH 12:13 [28:9]: And they took their journey into the wilderness, to go up to preach the word among the Lamanites: and I shall give an account of their proceedings hereafter.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the South Wilderness, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the sons of Mosiah who were Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni. They started there journey in the land of Zarahemla. The Lamanites were southward of the South Wilderness in the direction of the land of Nephi. The phrase 'into the wilderness' indicates the land of Zarahemla is outside the wilderness. The phrase 'go up' indicates the journey from Zarahemla to the Lamanites required going up in altitude.
ALMA 11:9 [16:6]: And Alma returned and said unto them, Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon, in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah, Manti, the river Sidon, the headwaters of the river Sidon, the South Wilderness, the wilderness around Ammonihah, and the wilderness around Manti. This verse names the South Wilderness. The phrase 'away up' indicates that the South Wilderness is higher in altitude than the land of Manti. The South Wilderness is southward of the land of Manti, so beyond the borders would be southward of the land of Manti. Since the Lamanites are crossing the river Sidon beyond the borders of the land of Manti, the headwaters of the river Sidon is southward of the land of Manti and the river Sidon flows northward past the land of Manti. The Lamanites were coming from the direction of the wilderness around the city of Ammonihah. Crossing the river Sidon would put them on the opposite side of the river than the land of Ammonihah.
ALMA 11:11 [16:7]: And it came to pass that Zoram and his sons crossed over the river Sidon with their armies, and marched away beyond the borders of Manti, into the south wilderness, which was on the east side of the river Sidon.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, the river Sidon, the South Wilderness, the wilderness around Manti, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. Zoram was coming from the city of Zarahemla after talking to Alma. After leaving the city of Zarahemla and crossing the river Sidon, this verse puts his armies on the east side of the river. This places Zarahemla on the westward side of the river Sidon. The south wilderness on the east of the river Sidon is on the opposite side of the river than the land of Manti. This places the land of Manti on the westward side of the river Sidon. This verse indicates that the South Wilderness is near the land of Manti, so references to a wilderness around Manti would be the South Wilderness. The phrase 'into the south wilderness' indicates the South Wilderness extends no further northward than the southern borders of the land of Manti, so the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla that takes days to travel through is not considered to be the same as the South Wilderness. Since the South Wilderness and the wilderness between the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla both lie between those two lands and are considered to be different, the South Wilderness has a distinct boundary that distinguishes it from the other wilderness.
ALMA 12:21 [17:13]: And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves, and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord, that they should meet again at the close of their harvest: for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the South Wilderness and the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the sons of Mosiah. They were traveling in the wilderness between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi. The phrase 'borders of the land of the Lamanites' describes the South Wilderness. The phrase 'land of the' is a phrase used to indicate a region that includes more than one land.
ALMA 12:29 [17:19]: And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ishmael and the South Wilderness. The phrase 'went to' refers to Ammon's journey that started in the South Wilderness after separating from his brothers. This places the land of Ishmael southward of the South Wilderness in an area of Lamanite control.
ALMA 13:1 [21:1]: Now when Ammon and his brethren separated themselves in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, behold, Aaron took his journey towards the land which was called by the Lamanites, Jerusalem; calling it after the land of their fathers' nativity; and it was away joining the borders of Mormon.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem, Mormon, and the South Wilderness. The land of Jerusalem and the land of Mormon are next to each other. The land of Jerusalem is southward of the south wilderness (the borders of the land of the Lamanites).
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 13:73 [22:29]: Nevertheless the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land, bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they called Bountiful.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the headwaters of the river Sidon, the South Wilderness, and the wilderness around Bountiful. The phrase 'of the land' means many lands or a collection of many lands. The phrase 'northern parts' means north of the South Wilderness. There is wilderness at the head of the river Sidon that would be the wilderness around the land of Manti. The phrase 'round about on the wilderness side' means there is wilderness north of the wilderness at the head of the river Sidon. This verse places the land Bountiful at the north end of the wilderness in the westward parts of the land. The land Bountiful is also described as having a wilderness, so the wilderness here is next to, or a continuation of, the wilderness around the land Bountiful. The wilderness around the land Bountiful would be, at the least, on the southern side of the land Bountiful.
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 13:79 [22:33]: And thus the Nephites in their wisdom, with their guards and their armies, had hemmed in the Lamanites on the south, that thereby they should have no more possession on the north, that they might not overrun the land northward;
Commentary: This verse references the places of the land northward and the South Wilderness. The Nephites had restricted the Lamanites to the area southward of the South Wilderness. The phrase 'no more possession on the north' refers to the area northward of the South Wilderness. The reference to the land northward would indicate that the Nephites placed special significance on the land northward.
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 14:26 [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 16:76 [30:59]: And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites, and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram; and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon, and trodden down, even until he was dead;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum and the South Wilderness. The term 'he' refers to Korihor. The Zoramites were located in the land of Antionum. The Zoramites used to be considered as part of the Nephites. This would put the land of Antionum northward of the possessions of the Lamanites. The South Wilderness is the primary separation between the possessions of the Lamanites and the Nephites. This would put the land of Antionum in proximity to the South Wilderness.
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 16:81 [31:4]: Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum and the South Wilderness. The Zoramites were close enough to the possessions of the Lamanites that the Lamanites could influence them. This would put the land of Antionum close to the South Wilderness.
ALMA 19:5 [39:3]: And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron, among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel; yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son.
Commentary: This verse references the places of a ridge between Siron and Zarahemla, Siron, the South Wilderness, and Zarahemla. The land of Siron is among the borders of the Lamanites (in or near the South Wilderness). The land of Siron is 'among the borders', so it is not deep in the land of the Lamanites. The phrase 'go over' indicates there is a ridge between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Siron.
ALMA 20:5 [43:5]: And it came to pass that the Lamanites came with their thousands; and they came into the land of Antionum, which was the land of the Zoramites; and a man by the name of Zerahemnah was their leader.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum and the South Wilderness. The Zoramites had turned into Lamanites. This indicates that the land of Antionum is near the borders of the Lamanite possessions (the area southward of the South Wilderness).
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 20:27 [43:24]: And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messenger of Moroni that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the more weak part of the people.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, a ridge around Manti, the South Wilderness, and the wilderness around Manti. The land of Manti is in proximity to a wilderness. From other verses, this is the South Wilderness. The phrase 'come over' means there is a ridge in proximity to the land of Manti. Using Occam's Razor, the ridge in proximity to the land of Manti is likely in the wilderness around Manti. The South Wilderness is located on the southward portion of the land of Manti.
ALMA 20:59 [43:53]: Therefore when Zerahemnah saw the men of Lehi on the east of the river Sidon, and the armies of Moroni on the west of the river Sidon, that they were encircled about by the Nephites, they were struck with terror.
Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill Riplah, river Sidon, and the South Wilderness. With valleys on the west and east of the river Sidon, the river Sidon would be flowing generally north and south near hill Riplah. It would be flowing away from the South Wilderness, which is higher in altitude than Zarahemla, so the river Sidon was flowing from the north to the south.
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 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 26:134 [58:13]: And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti; and we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, the South Wilderness, and the wilderness around Manti. There is wilderness next to the city of Manti. The phrase 'by the wilderness side' indicates that the wilderness around Manti is just on one side of the city of Manti. Since the South Wilderness is the same as the wilderness around Manti and the South Wilderness is southward of the land of Manti, then the wilderness side would be on the southward side of the city.
ALMA 26:148 [58:23]: And it came to pass that we took our course, after having traveled much in the wilderness, towards the land of Zarahemla.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, the South Wilderness, the wilderness around Manti, and Zarahemla. The term 'we' refers to Helaman and his army. There is 'much' wilderness from the city of Manti in a direction not directly towards the land of Zarahemla. There is no indication that the course Helaman traveled in the wilderness was directly towards the land of Zarahemla. Since this verse discusses a change in course towards the land of Zarahemla, Helaman's original direction was not directly towards the land of Zarahemla. The wilderness by Manti is the South Wilderness, so this verse indicates the direction of the South Wilderness is not in a line between the land of Manti and the land of Zarahemla, so it ran in a east-west direction.
ALMA 29:39 [62:34]: And it came to pass that Moroni, and Lehi, and Teancum, did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness, on the south, and in the borders by the wilderness, on the east; and thus they did encamp for the night.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Moroni, Nephihah, the East Wilderness, and the South Wilderness. The South Wilderness is the wilderness on the south of the land of Moroni. The East Wilderness is the wilderness on the east of the land of Moroni. This verse indicates that the East Wilderness meets or almost meets the South Wilderness in proximity of the land of Moroni in order to encircle the land of Moroni. Moroni (the person) was pursuing them from the land of Nephihah, which was northward and westward of the land of Moroni. In Alma 29:42 [62:36], the Lamanites were encamped in the city of Moroni. The phrase 'round about' indicates the armies of Moroni, and Lehi, and Teancum were to the north, west, and south of the city of Moroni. The Sea East shore would be to the east of the city.
ALMA 30:19 [63:15]: And also in this same year, they came down with a numerous army to war against the people of Moronihah, or against the army of Moronihah, in the which they were beaten, and driven back again to their own lands, suffering great loss.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Moronihah and the South Wilderness. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanites. The phrase 'came down' indicates the Lamanites were higher than the land of Moronihah, at least that there is higher terrain around the land of Moronihah. The land of Moronihah is somewhere near the South Wilderness and the possessions of the Lamanites.
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