If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. Anne Bradstreet

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season therof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. D&C 59:18-20

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Book of Mormon Geography: Zarahemla and Gideon

ZARAHEMLA has a land (or state) and city of the same name. Zarahemla (the land or state) is west of the river Sidon (Alma 2:15, Alma 6:7), and the river Sidon runs by Zarahemla, thus forming its east border (Alma 2:15). It is the homeland for ZARAHEMLA’s capital city.

When Mormon retells the advance of the Lamanites about 51 B.C., he says, "but they had come into the center of the land, and had taken the capital city which was the city of Zarahemla, and were marching through the most capital parts of the land . . ." This doesn’t have to mean dead-center, but does require that Zarahemla not be a borderland.

Gideon is east of the river Sidon (Alma 6:7) and northward of Manti (Alma 17:1), with a city Gideon in the valley Gideon (Alma 6:7). Mormon is unclear as to whether this valley Gideon constitutes the whole of the land Gideon. It is a relatively young land, founded by Gideon after the return of Limhi’s people from NEPHI (Alma 6:7). Mormon's narrative in Alma 2-3 and Alma 6:7 suggest Gideon is across the river from Zarahemla.


























Click here for a really good map that shows the river valleys on the east of the Rio Coco just north of Garrobo. This map gives another excellent view of this area. Manti would be in the general area of Neuva Segovia and extending into Honduras, with Gideon extending from Bocay southward.

5 comments:

Brother Zelph said...

look at a real map and you will notice that Book of Mormon "north" is really west. Your map is directionally skewed. Don't you think that is a little misleading?

Marlene Newell said...

I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about. The map I used is a legitimate map with correct directional layout.

Brother Zelph said...

marlene- I stand corrected. I am used to seeing Sorenson's skewed map.

Marlene Newell said...

Zelph, thanks for the acknowledgement.

Anonymous said...

Do you have a specific city in mind for Zarahemla. I am in the process of writing a book comparing all the Zarahemla candidates that I can find. please conntact me so i can discuss your Zarahemla candidate more thoroughly.