The East Coast Cities from Mulek to Moroni

In the Land of Promise, several cities are listed along the eastern seashore, from Moroni in the far south to Mulek in the far north of the Land Southward. The city was in the Land of Mulek, which was eastward, a short distance from the East Sea, since Mulek is described as being “down near or by the seashore” (Alma 52:22,23). As Alma put it, “And thus he went on, taking possession of many cities, the city of Moroni, the city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the city of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders by the seashore” (Alma 51:26).

The cities along the east coast would have been extensively damaged or destroyed completely by the receding of the Sea East and the rising of the Andes

• Mulek: According to Mormon, Mulek was north of the Land of Zarahemla (Alma 53:12) and close enough to the Land Northward that when the Lamanites “abandoned their design in marching into the Land Northward, and retreated with all their army into the city of Mulek,” they “sought protection in their fortifications” (Alma 52:22, 23).
    It was also near Bountiful, since when near “Teancum made preparations to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and march forth with his army against the Lamanites; but he saw that it was impossible that he could overpower them while they were in their fortifications; therefore he abandoned his designs and returned again to the city Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni, that he might receive strength to his army” (Alma 52:17).
    Lying between Bountiful and Mulek was a “plains,” that is, a large area of flat land with few trees. Since these plains were between the two cities (Alma 52:20), and on the west of Mulek, then Bountiful was to the west of Mulek and the plains (Alma 52:20). In addition, these plains were also described as a wilderness to the west of Mulek (Almla 52:22), thus the plains were devoid of people and settlement. There was also a land to the north of Mulek, along the seashore (Alma 52:23), evidently not occupied since the two armies moved in that direction.
    All of this shows that the city of Mulek was very close to the East Sea, to the east of Bountiful, with the seashore running to the north and to the south from Mulek. It also seems to be isolated from nearby settlement, being the last northern city along an eastern corridor. Directly south of Mulek was the city of Gid, and south of that the city of Omner.

• Gid: The city of Gid was along the seashore of the East Sea (Alma 51:26). It was conquered by the Lamanites (Alma 51:26). The city was part of cluster of cities along the northern seacoast of the Sea East.
• Omner: The city of Omner was along the seashore of the East Sea (Alma 51:26). It was conquered by the Lamanites (Alma 51:26).
• Antiparah: The city of Antiparah was near the borders of the seashore (Alma 56:31).
• Cumeni: The city of Cumeni was near the city of Antiparah, Zeezrom and Manti (Alma 57:7), probably further inland and likely in the hills or mountains at a higher elevation but nearer the Land of Zarahemla (Alma 57:16).
• Morianton: The city of Morianton was near the head of the Sidon River (Alma 56:25), and bordered on the land of Lehi (Alma 50:25) and near the city of Moroni (Alma 59:5). It was in a cluster of cities on the seacoast of the East Sea, along with Lehi, Nephihah, Aaron and Moroni. It was conquered by the Lamanites (Alma 51:26).
• Lehi: The city of Lehi was along the East Sea, on the seashore north of Moroni and Aaron, as well as north of Nephihah (Alma 50:15). It was near the land of Morianton (Alma 50:25, 36; 51:1).
• Nephihah: The city Nephihah, was on the east borders by the seashore (Alma 51:26), but inland from the sea (Alma 51:25). It was conquered by the Lamanites (Alma 51:26).
• Ammonihah: The city of Ammonihah was evidently near the city of Aaron (Alma 8:13-14). 
• Aaron: The city of Aaron was along the Sea East next to the city of Moroni, bordering the city of Nephihah (Alma 50:14). It was near the city of Ammonihah (Alma 8:13).

• Moroni: The city of Moroni was built along the beast seashore, in the east wilderness, north along the border of the Lamanite line of possessions in the Land of Nephi (Alma 50:13). Moroni was to the south of the Land of Nephihah (Alma 50:14). The Lamanites, under Amalickiah was conquered they city and moved in to posses it (Alma 51:24)
    These cities, along with others throughout the land, would all have been affected by earthquakes and 3-hour tremors that shook the Land of Promise (3 Nephi 8:6,12); However, the receding of the Sea East, as well as the rising of the Andes mountains along this eastern portion of Andean Peru during the time of the crucifixion would have been extensively destructive. Cities sinking into the depths of the sea would have required the collapse of shores, which would have taken place as the East Sea receded. The collapsing of mountains (2 Nephi 12:4) would have resulted in burying cities in the earth and mountains rising where valleys had once been (Helaman 14:23), would also bury cities while raising others to great heights.
    Both Nephi and the Lord have verified all this as they reported:
• The city of Moroni sunk into the depths of the sea (3 Nephi 8:9; 9:4); Gilgal sunk into the depths of the sea (3 Nephi 9:6)
• A great mountain covered the city Morianton (3 Nephi 8:10-11; 9:5).
• Onihah, Mocum and Jerusalem were covered with water (3 Nephi 9:7)
• Gadiandi, Gadiomnah, Jacob, and Gimgimno were sunk into the earth and hills and valleys were replaced them (3 Nephi 9:8)
• Zarahemla (3 Nephi 8:;9) and Jacobugath were burned with fire (3 Nephi 8:9); Also Laman, Josh, Gad, and Kishkumen, were burned with fire (3 Nephi 8:8; 9:10).
    And many great and notable cities were sunk (1 Nephi 12:4), and many were burned, and many were shaken till the buildings thereof had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate (3 Nephi 8:14). There was also great destruction on the Land Northward (3 Nephi 9:2).
    The Nephite cities along the coastal shore of the Sea East would have been as heavily affected and probably more than most, since the receding Sea East and he rising of the mountains “whose height is great” would have seriously changed the topography, which would have destroyed much of the cities and settlements in the area.