Fourth Phase of Colonization and Settlement of Zarahemla

(Placement of the More Righteous Emigants - 120-90 BC)

by Don R. Hender

In the previous section, this verse was used to indicated that for the years prior to the return of the Nephite people of Zeniff in the two groups of Alma and Limhi, there had not been very extensive expansion beyond the main valley of Sidon. Here we requote the verse to indicated that it was after the coming of the Nephite groups of Alma and Limhi that extensive expansion into all the quarters of the land occurred, building large cities and villages in all the quarters of the land. Now the next three phases, 4th - 6th, are not necessarily separated as much in time as they are by purpose and function. In the days of Alma the elder, there were philosophical and idelogical differences. Alma was named by Mosiah II as the head of the Church. Alma's leadership of the church emphasized Christ, baptism, obedience to the commandments, and a lay ministry. Even though the law of Moses was still kept, it was highly correlated in Christ. This was inline with King Benjamin and King Mosiah but likely the next step beyond including the doctrine emphasizing baptism over sacrifice. This was liekely a change of emphasis for the Nephites of Zarahemla, the Mulekites there, and for sure different from what the people of Limhi had been living with publicly supported royalty and ministry. Alma the elder met this diference with the law of excommuication as other churches raised up in the nation. King Mosiah set out a law that their was to be no persecutions between the churches. And by the time of Alma the younger, Nehor would be proselyting the doctrine of 'priestcraft' which actually had come from the times and practices of wicked King Noah which by inheritance was the Kingdom of Limhi. These idelogical differences coupled with military need seems to have played a roll in how the expansion and settlement of the land occured.

Though perhaps not chronologically exact, these expansions and settlements for the most part all occur after the arrival of the people of Alma and the people of Limhi in the land (Mosiah 27:6). When the people of Alma and Limhi come, there is a sudden need to expand beyond already established lands as the population has now began to suddenly expand from the new migration. The first of these, which will be covered, is to place the righteous people of Alma and Limhi. One of these might be the settlement of or the increased expansion of the lands of Melek and if so, I would associate Melek with Alma's people. Melek has already entered into the discussion and we will add little to that except associating it with Alma's people. Melek was a favorite missionary land of Alma the younger, and he was last seen traveling to Melek, perhaps traveling home to the land where his father Alma's people may have first been established in the land of Zarahemla. A romantic notion, but Melek may be considered in this respect.

Limhi's people where preceded in returning to the Land of Zarahemla by the people of Alma. And though technically they were the same people, they followed after diferent leaders and where associated diferently. It is likely therefore, that the people of Limhi would not just seek to locate where the people of Alma had already settled. They would seek after their own, and their own leaders. And the people of Alma where highly righteous while the people of Limhi where a stratified people, from more to less righteous in nature. Now the righteous people of Limhi would tend to follow after a strong righteous leader, and that would be one of my heroes in the Book of Mormon whose name was Gideon. Gideon was the leader that led the rebellion and fought against wicked King Noah in the land of Lehi-Nephi. He gave guiding counsel to King Limhi which aided in freeing his people from the Lamanites. And in his old age he contented against Nehor, the spreader of priestcraft, who slew him. Nephite lands and cities are commonly named after those who founded them. The eastern valley off of the Sidon Valley, is called the land, valley, and city of Gideon. Gideon is represented by the 'G' on the map at the right. Now between Gideon and Melek, the righteous peoples of Alma and Limhi might be able to be associated and settled in the land of Zarahemla in these two areas of expansion outside of the valley of Zarahemla or Sidon.


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