It is plain that this scripture is calling the hill in New York by that name. It is odd that rational individuals would dispute that this is the very hill that was called by this name in the Book of Mormon as well. But as there exists such a controversy, we have to deal with it head on. Quibblers usually say that the brethren, including Joseph, came to call it by that name, but it was not the actual ancient battlefield where the Nephites perished. They say, even if Joseph believed it to be, they don't have to take that as evidence, as it must have been his mere opinion.

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Even though they never had a chance to fulfill this, it shows that there are descendants of Nephites in the Missouri area, or how could anyone marry them? This was a revelation. So, the Land of Zarahemla was in the United States, since the Book of Mormon account shows us that most of the Nephite history took place in the general land of Zarahemla.

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According to the internal geography of the Book of Mormon, the city of Zarahemla was on the west side of the Sidon River, Northward from Manti. That description exactly fits the site of Zarahemla, Iowa. It clearly follows the same pattern as the Missouri Manti. Not only was it the ancient site that was by that name, but a city was to be built by the saints in the same area as the original. This was no mistake.

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The Hill Cumorah is in the Palmyra, New York area. The city of Zarahemla was in the area of eastern Iowa. And a little bit southwest of the present day site of Huntsville, Missouri, was the ancient site of the city of Manti which Joseph identified. We don't accept them as evidence for geography without testing them with the requirements of the text of the Book of Mormon of course.