Forest of Mormon (Malay geography model)

Near waters of Mormon

Forest of Mormon (Malay geography model)

The Forest of Mormon, a serene landscape near a fountain of pure water, holds a distinguished place in the religious heritage of the Nephites. This tranquil woodland, abutting the land of Lehi-Nephi, became significant due to an event marked by personal commitment and divine covenant—here, Alma1 conducted the baptism of 204 individuals, founding what was referred to as the “church of Christ” (Mosiah 18:13-30). This act of faith necessitated the eventual flight of the new church—now expanded to 450 members—from the threat of King Noah3’s army (Mosiah 18:34-35). Consequently, the area gained hallowed status among the Nephites, deeply revered for this momentous spiritual revival around 147 B.C. The prophet-historian Mormon, whose name was derived from the land, and Alma2, in recounting the reformative occurrences, both underscored its significance. Decades later, Alma2 invoked the memory of the Forest of Mormon in his mission to rekindle the flame of faith among the Nephites in Zarahemla (Alma 5:3-13). The description of the forest as “beautiful to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30) aptly encapsulates its cherished status, where the intimacy with the divine intersected with the natural beauty of the Nephite world.

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