In teaching his disobedient brethren, Nephi rehearsed the concept that God provides his children "precious" or promised lands which remain protected as long the people are obedient:
Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth their land unto them for their sakes. (1 Nephi 17:36-38)
The Book of Mormon (as well as other scripture) is replete with examples of these promised lands because they are a type of the ultimate promised land, the Celestial Kingdom. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on 2 Nephi 1:5; Ether 2:8]