Another passage most theorists misunderstand or just plain ignore is the one Mormon makes in his insert into Alma’s writing, when he wrote that “the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water, there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the land southward” (Alma 22”32).
This simple statement obviously shows that the two major land masses of the Land of Promise had only one connection, and that was the narrow neck of land.
No other model of any theory allows for such a condition in their various designs—not the Mesoamerican model, the Heartland model, the Great Lakes model, or any of the various models of the Land of Promise.
All movement from the Land Southward into the and Northward was through a narrow pass within this narrow neck of land (Mormon 2:29; 3:5; 52:9) and all movement between these two lands was through this narrow neck of land (Alma 63:4).
“And it came to pass that they did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east (Alma 50:34).
It should be noted that Mormon’s description of this narrow neck states: “the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east (Alma 50:34, emphasis added), is borne out by Moroni’s comment of the Jaredites, who “built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land” (Ether 10:20-21, emphasis added).
Thus, this narrow neck of land was a narrow passage from the Land Southward to the Land Northward (and back again), verified by Mormon and Moroni’s statements. In fact, it was this narrow neck that became the dividing line between the Lamanites in the south and the Nephites in the north, arranged by treaty, as seen in statement: “in the three hundred and fiftieth year we made a treaty with the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadianton, in which we did get the lands of our inheritance divided. And the Lamanites did give unto us the land northward, yea, even to the narrow passage which led into the land southward. And we did give unto the Lamanites all the land southward (Mormon 2:28-29, emphasis added).
In addition, the Nephites blocked this narrow pass within the narrow neck of land, preventing entrance into the land northward, an area of major strategic importance. In fact, Mormon illustrates the importance of this narrow pass or passage and neck of land between the Land Northward and the Land Southward, as is seen in the instance of Teancum blocking the defector Morianton and his flight northward. He states: “Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land /northward and…they did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east” (Alma 50:33-34).
This narrow neck and the narrow pass, once again were the only way to get between the Land Southward and the Land Northward, otherwise, blocking it against Morianton seeking the Land Northward would have been meaningless, since other avenues northward would have existed.
Again, Mormon makes this quite clear when he wrote: “thus the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water, there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the land southward—therefore the Lamanites could have no more possessions only in the land of Nephi, and the wilderness round about. Now this was wisdom in the Nephites—as the Lamanites were an enemy to them, they would not suffer their afflictions on every hand, and also that they might have a country whither they might flee, according to their desires” (Alma 22:32,34).
It should be apparent to every reader of the scriptural record that the importance of this strategic area was in the fact that it was the only way to get between these two lands. If the Nephites blocked this narrow neck and its narrow pass, then the Lamanites could have no access into the Land Northward, preserving that Land Northward that the Nephites “might have a country whither they might flee, according to their desires.”
When Morianton tried to reach this single Pass, “Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land northward” (Alma 50:33, emphasis added). Teancum and his army “did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east” (Alma 50:34, emphasis added).
Thus, the flight of Morianton and the race of Teancum’s intercepting army traveled great distances to reach this Pass. If there were multiple ways into the Land Northward, as most theorists claim, how would Teancum know which of these ways to head toward to stop Morianton? And what would keep Morianton from choosing another way when seeing Teancum’s army approaching?
We repeat here that Joseph Smith said, “Now taking it for granted that the scriptures say what they mean, and mean what they say” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, LDS Manual, 2011, pp88-100), this shows us that Joseph was telling us that the scriptural record was completely accurate.
In support of this, Joseph Fielding Smith added this idea even more strongly, “anything the church authorities—including Joseph Smith—have said about ‘Book of Mormon geography’ is irrelevant if it conflicts with what is in the Book of Mormon itself.”
This tells us that all the theorists claims made and models designed are inaccurate if they stray from the clear and accurate statements found in the Book of Mormon. Thus, any claimed inspired statement by anyone, including the prophet Joseph Smith, that contradicts a clear geographical indicator or passage contained within the Book of Mormon is trumped by the Book of Mormon statement.
It is of interest that when the guru of the Mesoamerican Land of Promise, John L. Sorenson, states that a researcher should “use the entire scripture without exception” and review “every statement in the text,” we should do exactly that—too bad Sorenson and other theorists do not adhere to this advice.
As one theorists claims: “The narrow neck of land is also not to be confused with the “narrow pass” (Alma 50:34; 52:9; Mormon 3:5) which is a passage way through mountains or hills,” and quotes the definition listed in Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, “Pass, noun: A narrow passage, entrance or avenue; a narrow or difficult place of entrance and exit; as a pass between mountains.”
This theorist then goes on to say that the narrow pass or passage of the scriptural record was a mountain pass and calls it as such several times.
The problem is, Webster does not isolate a narrow pass to only a mountain pass. He stated: “A narrow passage, entrance or avenue; a narrow or difficult place of entrance and exit; as a pass between mountains.” Note the word “as,” which is a word “used in comparison” and “to refer to the extent or degree of something.” In 1828, Webster defined “as” being “like,” “similar,” and “equal.” Thus, “as a pass between mountains,” is an example of a narrow pass, not the only type of a narrow pass.
Cuts and Passes through flat land on the plains—not in mountains
Such usage of “narrow pass” could include a narrow pathway, narrow ingress, narrow entranceway, walkway, corridor, etc. It is also defined as “a narrow part of a valley, a narrow part of a strait, narrow ravine, and a narrow pass through hills, such as those created by water flow (flash floods). What is important is that a “narrow pass” in this case is a “route” through, around, under or over something—it does not reference only mountains.
Moreover, when Mormon mentions a Narrow Pass, he does not say or imply there are more than one, yet some theorists claim there are several. However, the scriptural record references just one. “They did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east.” (Alma 50:34, emphasis added). And, “He also sent orders unto him that he should fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point and should have power to harass them on every side” (Alma 52:9, emphasis added), And “The Lamanites did give unto us the land northward, yea, even to the narrow passage which led into the land southward. And we did give unto the Lamanites all the land southward” (Mormon 2:29, emphasis added). “And it came to pass that I did cause my people that they should gather themselves together at the land Desolation, to a city which was in the borders, by the narrow pass which led into the land southward” (Mormon 3:5, emphasis added).
Note that in every case where the Narrow Pass is mentioned, it follows the word “the” which means that it was introduced before, or is known. Thus, the Pass, in passing through the Narrow Neck of Land is implied, and having already been addressed in this overall writing that Mormon abridged. Obviously, this shows, then, that the Narrow Pass ran through the Narrow Neck of Land, and was the single and only was between the Land Southward and the Land Northward.
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