In Alma 52:18 it states that "Moroni did arrive with his army at the land of Bountiful, in the latter end of the twenty and seventh year." In Alma 52:15 we find that in the first mention of "the twenty and seventh year" after "the ending of the twenty and sixth year," (Alma 52:14), Moroni "had begun his march towards the land Bountiful." Thus, Moroni's march might have consumed a good part of the 27th year. This seems to be too much time for a direct march from either the west coast or the local land of Zarahemla. Perhaps a good reason for the delay might have been because Mormon took time to revisit the established army sites along the southern border of the general land of Zarahemla in order to assure himself of their readiness. Apparently, the entire Nephite southern border covered quite a distance and was difficult terrain to cross because Ammoron "had departed out of the land of Zarahemla (Alma 52:12) apparently choosing to retreat into the land of Nephi from the east coast for his movement westward to "the borders by the west sea." Apparently Ammoron didn't feel that there was any advantage to attacking the Nephites at any point except along the "borders by the west sea" (Alma 52:12). Thus, in the 27th year, Moroni might have been slowly traveling through the southern borders of the general land of Zarahemla or what is termed the "narrow strip of wilderness [mountains] which separated the general land of Zarahemla on the south with the land of Nephi, and which ran "round about on the borders of the seashore" . . . "on the north even until they came to the land which they called Bountiful" (Alma 22:27, 29). This moving presence of Moroni's army might have been the reason why the Lamanites on the west coast in the beginning of the 27th year didn't dare "march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah" (Alma 56:25).
Of special interest to Moroni at this time was the small army he left stationed to protect the fortified city of Nephihah when he marched to consult the leaders in Zarahemla about establishing armies on the west and south. Upon checking the situation of the people at Nephihah, and knowing that Ammoron was involved on the western front, apparently Moroni thought a good part of these men at Nephihah could be spared and took them with him to Bountiful. This was a decision he would later regret (see Alma 59:9-11). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
Alma 52:20 They sent embassies to the army of the Lamanites ([Illustration]): A codex shows a native ambassador sent by Cortez to meet with Tlaxcalan lords as his conquering army advanced toward the Aztec capital. A similar concept is represented above on an Olmec monument from La Venta that is two thousand years older. [John L. Sorenson, Images of Ancient America, p. 123]