Upwards of 25 percent of the information recorded in the Book of Mormon is written in relation to geography. We believe that Mormon included geographical statements to use as a springboard to illustrate spiritual messages. This process is called “types and shadows,” and the following scripture emphasizes this concept: “The land of Nephi [representing evil] was divided from the land of Zarahemla [representing good] by a narrow strip of wilderness, which ran from the sea east even to the sea west [from where we are born to where we die]” (Alma 22:27). The narrow strip of wilderness that divided the land of Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, symbolically speaking, is the narrow way that divides good from evil.

Therefore, as we begin this chapter, we ask you to ponder an answer to the following question: Why did Mormon include so many geographical references in his abridgement? Our answer is twofold. First, Mormon communicates with us as if he had a map in front of him and as if he expects us to refer to this same map as an aid in understanding what he is saying. Second, we will introduce in this chapter the concept of types and shadows and present an interpretation of the manner in which Mormon utilizes geography to develop a spiritual or doctrinal principle.