“Any of Our Lands”

Alan C. Miner

By defending a Nephite position by the narrow pass (Mormon 3:5), could Mormon hope to keep the Lamanites from conquering "any of our lands" (Mormon 3:6)--meaning that the Nephites could prevent the Lamanites from conquering anything that could be considered Nephite territory? Or does the phrase "any of our lands" simply go along with a "retreat" philosophy, meaning that if the Nephites were successful here, they would not give up any additional fortified Nephite lands. I feel that it is almost impossible to find anywhere on the whole North American-South American continent where a total blockade could be maintained; however, of the two plausible candidates (Panama and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec), the travel corridor through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec seems to be a more plausible candidate for such a blockade as described here. From ancient times, the swampy Panama isthmus has never been traversable by land for large groups. so the whole wartime retreat scenario would seem out of place. It would be difficult, also, in such flat Panama terrain for Lamanites to come "down" or for Nephites to go "up." [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Mormon 3:7; 5:4]

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

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