“They Departed out of the Valley and Took Their Journey into the Wilderness”

Alan C. Miner

When the people "departed out of the valley of Alma" (Mosiah 24:25), how did Alma1 know the exact way to the land of Zarahemla? Alma left the city of Lehi-Nephi before Ammon came and before Limhi's party was sent. Did Alma have some general set of directions as to how to get to the land of Zarahemla, and then by the use of a little scouting eventually find the way? If wars had been fought between the Lamanites and the people of King Benjamin in the land of Zarahemla (Words of Mormon 1:13-14) during the time that Alma was in the land of Helam, then perhaps the Lamanites or Amulonites might have related some information to Alma about directions. Perhaps Alma received his directions through talking with the Lord (see Mosiah 23:1; 24:23). Whatever the case, we are not told the specifics of how Alma knew the way to the land of Zarahemla. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

References