Book of Mormon Geography Internal Map

This is the land and city of Zarahemla. The land of Zarahemla is in the center of the Nephite lands. The land of Zarahemla is northward of the lands of Nephi, Manti, Melek, Gideon, Minon and Siron. The land of Zarahemla is northward of the South Wilderness. The land of Zarahemla is southward of the land Bountiful and Angola. The land of Zarahemla is westward of the land of Antionum. The land of Zarahemla is in proximity to the lands of Sidom, Jershon, Melek, Judea, Cumeni, and Nephihah. The land of Zarahemla is in proximity to the East Wilderness and the land southward. The land of Zarahemla borders the land of Ammonihah and probably borders the land of Noah. The river Sidon flows by the land of Zarahemla. The land of Zarahemla is on the west side of the river Sidon. The land of Zarahemla is eastward of the wilderness around the land of Zarahemla.

Commentaries (view it on a map)

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 1:24 [1:14]: And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the place of Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Mosiah and his people. This verse names the place of Zarahemla. Mosiah and his people fled from the land of Nephi to the land of Zarahemla and found people there before them. The phrase in Omni 1:26 [1:15], 'at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon', explains that the people of Zarahemla are a second, independent group that came from Jerusalem. The first group was Jared and his people as described in the Book of Ether. Coriantumr was the last of those people and spent some time with the people of Zarahemla. The third group was Lehi and his people as described in the book of I Nephi (of which Mosiah was a descendant).

OMNI 1:37 [1:21]: And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill Cumorah, the hill Ramah, and Zarahemla. Coriantumr traveled from hill Ramah to Zarahemla. As explained in the verses from the Book of Ether, hill Ramah is the same as the hill Cumorah.

OMNI 1:39 [1:22]: And his first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them, according to his judgments, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward:

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land Northward, Moron, and Zarahemla. This is a brief account of Coriantumr when he lived with the first people of Zarahemla for nine moons. Coriantumr was the ruler of the land of Moron. The parents of Coriantumr were associated with the land northward.

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 1:16 [1:10]: For on the morrow, I shall proclaim unto this my people, out of mine own mouth, that thou art a king and a ruler over this people, whom the Lord our God hath given us.

Commentary: This verse references the place of Zarahemla. This verse indicates the size of the land of Zarahemla is of a size that can send a word out one day and have all of the people gathered the next day.

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 5:60 [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 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 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 10:16 [22:13]: And after being many days in the wilderness, they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, and joined his people, and became his subjects.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Shilom, the wilderness between Nephi and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to King Limhi and his people. The term 'his people' refers to Mosiah and his people in Zarahemla. The traveling in this verse starts near the land of Shilom. The phrase 'many days' indicates that the land of Zarahemla is not very near to the Land of Shilom.

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 11:76 [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.

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.

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 1:70 [2:15]: And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the hill of Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land of Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the Nephites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill Amnihu, the river Sidon, and Zarahemla. The Amlicites were in part of the land of Zarahemla, but separate from the Nephites. The hill Amnihu is on the east side of the river Sidon and within the borders of the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 1:76 [2:20]: And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites no longer, he caused that his people should pitch their tents, in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Minon, the valley of Gideon, and Zarahemla. The valley of Gideon is a pursuit distance from the land of Zarahemla. The valley of Gideon is also near the land of Minon since spies could go from the valley of Gideon to the land of Minon and back in less than a day.

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 1:83 [2:26]: And it came to pass that the people of Nephi took their tents, and departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their city, which was the city of Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the valley of Gideon and Zarahemla. The valley of Gideon is on the east of the river Sidon (they crossed the river Sidon to the city of Zarahemla which is on the west of the river).

ALMA 1:84 [2:27]: And behold, as they were crossing the river Sidon, the Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gideon, Minon, the river Sidon, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the people of Nephi. The crossing of the river Sidon is between the land of Gideon and the land of Minon. They were crossing the river Sidon from the land of Gideon to the land of Minon. So, the land of Gideon is on the opposite side of the river than the land of Minon. The lands of Zarahemla and Minon are on the west side of the river Sidon. That the lands of Zarahemla and Minon and the valley of Gideon are so closely located near the river Sidon indicates the valley of Gideon is part of the drainage system for the river Sidon.

ALMA 1:121 [3:20]: Now it came to pass that not many days after the battle which was fought in the land of Zarahemla, by the Lamanites and the Amlicites, that there was another army of the Lamanites came in upon the people of Nephi in the same place, where the first army met the Amlicites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the hill Amnihu and Zarahemla. This place is the hill Amnihu which is in the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 2:4 [4:4]: And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon, and were joined to the church of God;

Commentary: This verse references the places of the waters of Sidon and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the people of Nephi. Alma baptized the people and he lived in Zarahemla. This places the river Sidon in the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 4:7 [6:7]: And now it came to pass that when Alma had made these regulations, he departed from them, yea, from the church which was in the city of Zarahemla,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gideon, the valley of Gideon, and Zarahemla. Alma departed from the land of Zarahemla to the valley of Gideon (which is in the land of Gideon).

ALMA 6:4 [8:3]: And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma departed from thence, and took his journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Melek, a ridge between Melek and Zarahemla, the river Sidon, the wilderness around Melek, and Zarahemla. The land of Melek is west of the river Sidon. From the relative locations of the lands in the area, the land of Melek may be south of the land of Minon. There is wilderness by the land of Melek. The term 'borders' indicates the wilderness had a boundary near the land of Melek. The phrase 'over into' means there is a ridge between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Melek.

ALMA 10:110 [15:18]: Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.

Commentary: This verse references the places of a ridge between Sidom and Zarahemla, Sidom, and Zarahemla. The land of Zarahemla is somewhere near Sidom. The phrase 'came over' means there is a ridge between the land of Sidom and the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 11:3 [16:3]: And now it came to pass before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the borders of Noah, and taking others captive into the wilderness.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah, Noah, and the wilderness between Ammonihah and Noah, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the Lamanites. There is wilderness between the city of Ammonihah and the borders of the land of Noah. The land of Noah is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla. The borders of the land of Noah are also close to 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 12:1 [17:1]: And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon, southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met the sons of Mosiah, journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gideon, Manti, the river Sidon, and Zarahemla. The sons of Mosiah were traveling from the land of Nephi to the land of Zarahemla. The river Sidon ran past the land of Manti and the land of Gideon. Following the river Sidon is a likely navigation route where both would meet. This verse also locates the land of Manti southward of the land of Gideon.

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 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 13:71 [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 13:72 [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 13:77 [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 14:60 [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 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 15:27 [27:25]: Now it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this, he returned to the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, and also Alma with him, into the wilderness, where they had pitched their tents, and made known unto them all these things.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the wilderness around Zarahemla and Zarahemla. Alma had led the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi to the land of Zarahemla outside the city of Zarahemla. This verse refers to Alma and Ammon going from the city of Zarahemla to where the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi were camped in the wilderness outside the city of Zarahemla.

ALMA 15:36 [28:1]: And now it came pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established in the land of Jershon; and the armies of the Nephites were set round about the land of Jershon; yea, in all the borders round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Jershon and Zarahemla. The land of Jershon is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 16:20 [30:19]: Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the people of the Lamanites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Jershon, a ridge between Jershon and Zarahemla, and Zarahemla. The term 'this man' refers to Korihor. The phrase 'went over' means there is a ridge between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Jershon.

ALMA 16:37 [30:29]: But they caused that he should be bound; and they delivered him up into the hands of the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla, that he might be brought before Alma and the chief judge, who was governor over all the land.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gideon and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to high priest and chief judge in the city of Gideon. The term 'him' refers to Korihor. The land of Gideon is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla.

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 16:83 [31:6]: Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antionum, Melek, and Zarahemla. The land of Melek is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla or on the way from the land of Zarahemla to the land of Antionum.

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 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 21:111 [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 22:7 [50:7]: And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his armies should go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went forth, and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into their own lands, which were south of the land of Zarahemla;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Ammonihah, the East wilderness, and Zarahemla. The East Wilderness is east of Ammonihah although no close proximity is implied in this verse. The Lamanites lands were south of Zarahemla. The phrase 'and it came to pass' indicates a length of time passed. Alma 14:61 [25:3] mentions 'they had many battles' between the time of destroying Ammonihah and going to the East Wilderness.

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 22:11 [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 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 24:14 [52:12]: Now the king (Ammoron) had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and had made known unto the queen concerning the death of his brother, and had gathered together a large number of men, and had marched forth against the Nephites, on the borders by the west sea;

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land by the Sea West, the Sea West, and Zarahemla. Ammoron departed out of the land of Zarahemla and went to the Sea West. The phrase 'on the borders' means near, and not necessarily next to, the Sea West. This verse further explains the location of the land by the west sea as by the borders by the west sea.

ALMA 26:28 [56:25]: Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Antiparah, Cumeni, Judea, Nephihah, a ridge between the headwaters of the river Sidon and the city of Nephihah, river Sidon, river Sidon (headwaters), and Zarahemla. Helaman is making this statement and he is in Judea at this time. The Lamanites are currently in control of the cities of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Zeezrom. This verse is talking about some of the options the Lamanites do not have. The phrase 'march down' means that the cities of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Zeezrom are higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. Since the Lamanites are in control of these cities, this verse describes a general line from the lands of Antiparah, Cumeni, and Zeezrom to the land of Nephihah by way of the headwaters of the river Sidon. The phrase 'over to' means there is a ridge between the head (headwaters) of the river Sidon and the city of Nephihah. This makes sense since headwaters of rivers are typically near a ridge.

ALMA 26:68 [56:57]: And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Judea, the wilderness around Judea, and Zarahemla. The term 'we' refers to Helaman. Their current location is in the wilderness around the Land of Judea.

ALMA 26:83 [57:11]: Therefore it became expedient that we should take those provisions and send them to Judea and our prisoners to the land of Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Judea and Zarahemla. The land of Judea and the land of Zarahemla are in proximity to each other.

ALMA 26:105 [57:28]: And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded men, and had buried our dead, and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land of Zarahemla with.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the battle site north of the city of Antiparah, Cumeni, the wilderness around Judea, and Zarahemla. The phrase 'we' refers to the army of Helaman that was in the city of Cumeni at this time. The prisoners are the ones taken after the battle between the Nephites and Lamanites north of the city of Antiparah. The phrase, 'go down to the land of Zarahemla with,' means the location of the battle site north of the city of Antiparah is higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. The battle site is in the wilderness around the land of Judea, so the wilderness is also higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla.

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 26:149 [58:24]: And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the land of Zarahemla, they were exceeding fraid, lest there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they began to retreat into the wilderness again, yea, even back by the same way which they had come.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Manti, the wilderness around Manti, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the army of Helaman. The Lamanites were chasing the army of Helaman. The phrase 'into the wilderness' indicates the Lamanites were out of the wilderness and going back into the wilderness. So, there is a route from the land of Manti that goes through the wilderness and then out of the wilderness for part of the journey.

ALMA 29:7 [62:7]: And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran went down with their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth against the city, and did meet the men of Pachus, insomuch that they did come to battle.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gideon and Zarahemla. The phrase 'went down' indicates that the land of Gideon is higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla. This would put the land of Gideon upstream from the land of Zarahemla. Since Moroni was traveling from the city of Manti to the land of Gideon and then to the land of Zarahemla, the land of Gideon is between the city of Manti and the land of Zarahemla. The river Sidon flows from the south to the north, so the lands of Gideon and Manti are south of the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 29:16 [62:14]: And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran, leaving a large body of men in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with a large body of men towards the land of Nephihah, being determined to overthrow the Lamanites in that city.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephihah and Zarahemla. The land of Nephihah is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla.

ALMA 29:21 [62:18]: And it came to pass that when they had come to the city Nephihah, they did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the city Nephihah.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephihah, the plains of Nephihah, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Moroni, Pahoran, and their army. They were coming from the land of Zarahemla, which is westward of the land of Nephihah, so the plains of Nephihah should be to the west of the city of Nephihah.

ALMA 30:5 [63:4]: And it came to pass that in the thirty and seventh year of the reign of the Judges, there was a large company of men, even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred men, with their wives and their children, departed out of the land of Zarahemla, into the land which was northward.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land northward, the land which was northward, the narrow neck, and Zarahemla. The phrase 'land which was northward' is the same as the land northward. The term 'into' indicates that the land of Zarahemla is outside the boundaries of the land which was northward. This is quite obvious since the land which was northward is described as being northward of the land Bountiful. The term is commented on here only to show the consistency of how the term 'into' is used in the Book of Mormon.

HELAMAN 1:12 [1:12]: And Kishkumen, and his band who had covenanted with him, did mingle themselves among the people, in a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found, were condemned unto death.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Zarahemla and Kishkumen. Kishkumen had just murdered Pahoran in the city of Zarahemla. This verse indicates that Kishkumen and his band were no longer welcome in the land of Zarahemla and would have left the land of Zarahemla and settled somewhere else. The Nephites had a practice of naming a city after the first person that settled it. Thus, this verse implicates that Kishkumen and his band moved out of the land of Zarahemla and may have settled the city of Kishkumen. Kishkumen is always found in verses centered around the land of Zarahemla, so it may be that the city of Kishkumen is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla.

HELAMAN 1:18 [1:17]: Therefore he did stir them up to anger, and he did gather together his armies, and he did appoint Coriantumr to be their leader, and did cause that they should march down to the land of Zarahemla, to battle against the Nephites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Nephi and Zarahemla. The term 'he' refers to Tubaloth, the king of the Lamanites in the land of Nephi. The phrase 'march down' indicates that the land of Zarahemla is lower in elevation than the land of Nephi.

HELAMAN 1:19 [1:18]: And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government, that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the place of Zarahemla. The land of Zarahemla is in the heart (center) of the lands of the Nephites. It is not on the borders of the possessions of the Nephites.

HELAMAN 1:25 [1:23]: And now he did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but he did march forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful; for it was his determination to go forth and cut his way through with the sword, that he might obtain the north parts of the land,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful and Zarahemla. The term 'he' refers to Coriantumr. The Lamanites were coming through the center of the lands of the Nephites and did not stay in the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'north parts of the land' indicates that the city Bountiful is north of the land of Zarahemla.

HELAMAN 1:49 [2:11]: And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helaman sent forth to take them, they could nowhere be found. And more of this Gadianton shall be spoken hereafter.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the wilderness around Zarahemla and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to Gadianton and his band. The phrases 'out of the land' and 'into the wilderness' indicates there is wilderness outside the land of Zarahemla. Kishkumen had come to the city of Zarahemla with his band and had just been killed trying to murder Helaman. Kishkumen and his band had been living somewhere outside the land of Zarahemla. If that place had been the city of Kishkumen, the appearance of Kishkumen in the city of Zarahemla would indicate the city of Kishkumen is in proximity to the land of Zarahemla.

HELAMAN 2:4 [3:4]: And they did travel to an exceeding great distance, insomuch that they came to large bodies of water, and many rivers;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Desolation, land Northward, waters of Ripliancum, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to people from the land of Zarahemla. People were leaving the land of Zarahemla to go to the land northward. The term 'bodies' is plural, so there were at least two large bodies of water (lakes) and many rivers near, or in, the land northward. No fountains are mentioned in the description. The land Northward is northward of the land of Zarahemla by an 'exceeding great distance'. It is interesting to note that the land northward has at least one large body of water and that the Jaredites a few hundred years before the Nephites describe in the Book of Ether a large body of water in the northernmost parts of their land as the waters of Ripliancum.

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 2:38 [4:5]: And in the fifty and seventh year, they did come down against the Nephites to battle; and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the Judges, they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla: yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Bountiful, the land near Bountiful, and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to dissenters that left the Nephites to join the Lamanites. The Lamanites went to Zarahemla (from the south) to a land near the land Bountiful (northward of Zarahemla). The phrase 'yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful' means that there is more than one land between the land of Zarahemla and the land near Bountiful. Lands northward of the land of Zarahemla and generally between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful are the lands of Noah, Sidom, Laman, Josh, Gad, Kishkumen, Angola, and David. Of all of these cities and lands, the closest to the land Bountiful were Noah and David. The city of Jacobugath would eventually be northward of the land of Zarahemla, but had not been established at this point in time. The term 'near' indicates the land near Bountiful is next to the land Bountiful. Since it was between the land Bountiful and the land of Zarahemla, it would be southward of the land Bountiful.

HELAMAN 2:78 [5:16]: And even from one city to another, until they had gone forth among all the people of Nephi, who were in the land southward; and from thence into the land of Zarahemla, among the Lamanites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land southward and Zarahemla. The term 'they' refers to the sons of Helaman. The phrase 'from thence into' contains both 'thence' (which signifies leaving one area for another) and 'into' (which also indicates leaving one area for another). These terms make it clear that the land of Zarahemla is not considered to be part of the land southward. These terms also indicate that the land southward has a boundary.

III NEPHI 2:22 [3:17]: And it came to pass that Lachoneus did appoint chief captains over all the armies of the Nephites, to command them at the time that the robbers should come down out of the wilderness against them.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the wilderness around Zarahemla and Zarahemla. Lachoneus was the governor of the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'come down out of the wilderness' indicates the wilderness around Zarahemla is higher in elevation than the land of Zarahemla.

III NEPHI 2:25 [3:20]: Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni, Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains, and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them, in their own lands.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the river Sidon, wilderness around Zarahemla and Zarahemla. The phrase 'the people' refers to the people in the land of Zarahemla. This verse indicates a close relationship between mountains and the wilderness around the land of Zarahemla. Since the city of Zarahemla is on the westward side of the river Sidon, elevated areas such as the mountains and wilderness would be on the opposite side (westward side) of the city of Zarahemla than the river Sidon.

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 2:46 [4:5]: And it came to pass that in the nineteenth year, Giddianhi found that it was expedient that he should go up to battle against the Nephites, for there was no way that they could subsist, save it were to plunder, and rob, and murder.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land southward, the one place, and Zarahemla. The Nephites were located in the one place, the land southward. Giddianhi and the robbers were in the lands vacated by the Nephites, for example, the land of Zarahemla. The phrase 'go up to' indicates that the land southward is higher in elevation than Zarahemla.

III NEPHI 3:48 [7:12]: Therefore Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land,

Commentary: This verse references the places of Jacobugath and Zarahemla. Jacob and his people fled from the land of Zarahemla to the northernmost part of the land. There they established the city of Jacobugath.

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 4:28 [9:3]: Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Zarahemla. The phrase 'great city' is used to describe the city of Zarahemla. Only a few cities are referred to as a great city. Its destruction by fire provides the possibility that other cities in close proximity would also be destroyed by fire.

III NEPHI 4:36 [9:9]: And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of the king of Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire, because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gad, Jacobugath, Josh, Kishkumen, Laman, and Zarahemla. Being destroyed by fire places it with the other lands that were destroyed by fire. These were the city of Laman, city of Josh, city of Gad, city of Kishkumen, and city Zarahemla. A 'great city' may indicate possibly a large number of inhabitants. Earlier verses called the area a kingdom, which would confirm a great city.

III NEPHI 4:38 [9:10]: And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets, and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations;

Commentary: This verse references the places of Gad, Jacobugath, Josh, Kishkumen, Laman, and Zarahemla. When places are listed in order in the same verse, they share a border in the order they are listed. So, these cities are located next to each other. However, this is the only verse that describes these cities and no information is provided about their location relative to other places. These cities and the cities of Jacobugath and Zarahemla were also destroyed by fire. Using Occam's Razor, these cities should be in proximity to the cities of Jacobugath and Zarahemla. Since the city of Jacobugath is north of the city of Zarahemla and none of these cities were mentioned in any of the descriptions of places south of the city of Zarahemla, again using Occam's Razor, these cities are probably north of the city of Zarahemla.

MORMON 1:7 [1:6]: And it came to pass that I, being eleven years old, was carried by my father into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla; the whole face of the land having become covered with buildings, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land southward and Zarahenla. The term 'I' refers to Mormon. The phrase 'into the land southward' indicates that Mormon began outside the land southward and traveled into it. The phrase 'even to the land of Zarahemla' indicates that the land southward has a boundary that does not go as far as the land of Zarahemla. They needed to pass through the land southward to get to the land of Zarahemla.

MORMON 1:10 [1:10]: And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the river Sidon and Zarahemla. The river Sidon flows through the land of Zarahemla.

MORMON 1:24 [2:3]: And it came to pass that in the three hundred and twenty and seventh year, the Lamanites did come upon us with exceeding great power, insomuch that they did frighten my armies; therefore they would not fight, and they began to retreat towards the north countries.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Angola, the north country, and Zarahemla. The term 'us' refers to Mormon and his army. The 'north countries' is a phrase with a distinct meaning. It is first used as 'north country' in Helaman 2:39 [4:6]. Here, it is referenced as more than one country. Mormon's army retreated northward from the land of Zarahemla to the city of Angola. So, the north countries are northward of the land of Zarahemla.

MORMON 1:25 [2:4]: And it came to pass that we did come to the city of Angola, and we did take possession of the city, and make preparations to defend ourselves against the Lamanites.

Commentary: This verse references the places of Angola, Joshua, the narrow neck, the north country, and Zarahemla. Mormon's army traveled from the land of Zarahemla to the city of Angola (which is in the north countries - see Mormon 1:24 [2:3]). In the Book of Ether, the north countries are defined as lands in an area around the narrow neck. This is a likely location for the city of Angola since being chased to the land of Joshua later would only require going across the narrow neck from the east to the west.

ETHER 4:36 [9:31]: And it came to pass that their flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards the land southward, which was called by the Nephites, Zarahemla.

Commentary: This verse references the places of the land southward, Nehor, and Zarahemla. The land southward is originally stated as north of Zarahemla. The 'fleeing' in this verse is north to south from the land of Nehor towards the land of Zarahemla. This places the land of Nehor northward of the land southward and the land of Zarahemla. Other verses distinctly indicate that the land southward existed outside the boundaries of the land of Zarahemla.

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