“All the Lands of Their Inheritance”

Brant Gardner

The expansive phrase, “all the lands of their inheritance,” must refer to lands surrounding Zarahemla. “Land of inheritance” had described the land of Nephi before Mosiah1’s exodus; but it cannot possibly be included in this reference. Lamanites inhabited the land of Nephi during the entire reigns of Zeniff, Noah, and Limhi. Since Limhi and his people have not rejoined the Nephites in Zarahemla, and since this battle apparently came after Zeniff’s departure, the land of first inheritance remained firmly in Lamanite hands at this point. From this point on, the land of Nephi is designated as the “land of first inheritance.”

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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