From the tower near the temple, King Noah "cast his eyes round about towards the land of Shemlon, and behold, the army of the Lamanites were within the borders of the land" (Mosiah 19:6). This might imply not only that the land of Shemlon was not very far away from Lehi-Nephi, but that from a tower, one could observe troop movement at the very borders of the local land of Nephi. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
“Shemlon”
According to Hugh Nibley, the name "Shemlon" (Mosiah 19:6) means east. . . . Thus the land of Shemlon means the lands to the east on the left side (as one faces south). [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 2, p. 118, 158]
Question* Does this definition fit any Book of Mormon geography models? What is the point of reference? In other words, where would the person be standing and facing south in order for Shemlon to be on his east? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes}
Mosiah 19:15 And thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites ([Illustration]): The Matricula de Tributos, another Aztec list, illustrates the political symbolism involved in the ritualized payment of tribute. Every item ticked off signaled submission to superior power, just as must have been the case when the Zeniffites turned over their tribute to the Lamanite king. [John L. Sorenson, Images of Ancient America, p. 114]
Mosiah 19:15 And thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites from year to year ([Illustration]): Types and amounts of tribute are listed in this tabulation from the Codex Mendoza. One prince, for example, had to submit annually to the capital 12,800 cloaks, 1600 loin cloths, 1600 women's tunics, 32,000 bundles of paper, 8000 bowls, and four bins of maize and beans. [John L. Sorenson, Images of Ancient America, p. 115]