The scriptural details of all these various groups journeying back and forth throughout the lands of the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 7–24) constitute another of the great evidences of the authenticity of this sacred record. With minimal formal education, Joseph Smith could hardly have woven such an intricate historical and geographical tapestry of the several groups’ movements without a single contradiction in the details. Those who knew the prophet testified that he could not have created such a complex story line out of his own head. As it was, merely translating such interrelated and interwoven narratives required Joseph Smith to depend entirely on the gift and power of God to translate, and the help of several scribes to write while he translated, without repeating previous lines when resuming the translation.
Journeys between lands of Zarahemla, Nephi, Waters of Mormon, and Helam
Map Key
1. The ill-fated expedition: Omni 1:27–28; Mosiah 9:1–2
2. Zeniff’s expedition: Omni 1:29; Mosiah 9:3; Mosiah 7:9
3. Expedition of 43 men to find Zarahemla: Mosiah 8:1–11
4. Alma’s escape to the Waters of Mormon and establishment of the city of Helam: Mosiah 18:1–7, 30–35; Mosiah 23:1–5, 19–20
5. Ammon’s expedition to find Zeniff’s colony: Mosiah 7:1–6
6. Limhi’s escape to Zarahemla: Mosiah 22:1–13
7. Alma’s escape to Zarahemla: Mosiah 24:16–25