The people of the Book of Mormon are by-and-large characterized as travelers.  Each of the three main civilizations mentioned in the Book of Mormon begin their accounts with a major transoceanic journey to their Promised Land.  However, no single group, or even splinter groups, seem content staying where they are for very long.Much of what we know about Book of Mormon geography comes from passages that chronicle the journeys of various people.  In addition to geographical details, the stories of travels are often coupled with a message of redemption or deliverance, underlined by a reliance on providence to be led to some land of promise, or some new safe haven. With that in mind, here are ten notable journeys told of in the Book of Mormon.

1. Lehite Travels
   This journey usually gets a lot of attention, as it is located prominently in the opening chapters of the Book of Mormon. It starts in Jerusalem, and hits a number of points through the Arabian Peninsula:  the Valley of Lemuel, Shazer, Nahom, and Bountiful, where they set sail for the Promised Land. Most of the famous vignettes of Lehi and and his family take place on this journey: retrieving the brass plates, obtaining the Liahona, the vision of the tree of life, Nephi’s broken bow, the construction of the ship, and the drama while crossing the ocean.
2. Nephite Departure from the Land of First Inheritance
   It isn’t long after the Lehites land in their new world that it becomes evident that the Nephites and Lamanites will be unable to peacefully coexist.  Nephi gathers his followers and they leave the Lehite landing spot, or “Land of First Inheritance,” and they “journey in the wilderness for the space of many days.”  The place they end up become the city of Nephi, and later, the land of Nephi.
3. Mosiah’s Discovery of Zarahemla
   Mosiah was a Nephite living in this land of Nephi, and he was warned by God to take all who would follow him and leave.  He leads his pilgrims through the wilderness, until they reach the land of Zarahemla, which was already populated by an enigmatic “people of Zarahemla,” with whom they merge, and over whom Mosiah eventually becomes king.
4. Zeniff’s Trip Back to the Land of Nephi
   While Mosiah was still king in Zarahemla, some of his followers, lead by the intrepid Zeniff, decided to go back to the land of Nephi, to check up on those they left behind, and posses their former land.  When they get back the to land of Nephi, they find only Lamanites, but through some diplomacy, are able to settle a part of the land. Zeniff becomes king, and his famous wicked son Noah succeeds him.
5. Alma’s Escape Out of Helam
   Alma was a rogue priest of Noah, who after baptizing his followers in the Waters of Mormon, set up camp in a nearby land called Helam.  Alma’s people eventually become enslaved in Helam by Lamanites lead by a former colleague of Alma’s.  In time, the Lord sees fit to deliver Alma’s people and lead them to Zarahemla.  One night, a deep sleep overcomes the guards, and Alma’s people successfully leave Helam, travel through a valley the call Alma, and arrive in Zarahemla, where they are greeted by Mosiah².
6. Ammon and Limhi’s Escape Out of the Land of Nephi
   Meanwhile, back the land of Nephi, Noah’s son Limhi had taken command, but was subject to Lamanite rule. Ammon was a man from Zarahemla, who along with some others, came down to check on whoever was left of Zeniff’s colony.  Seeing the adverse political circumstances the Limhi’s people were under, Ammon helps them break free and invites them to come to Zarahemla. One night, they get the Lamanite guards senselessly drunk, and leave the city of Nephi behind unfettered.  After several days of journeying, the arrive in Zarahemla, and are also met and welcomed by Mosiah².
7. The Sons of Mosiah’s Journey to the Lamanites
   Ammon and his companions set off on a journey back to the land of Nephi, now exclusively inhabited by Lamanites (and some Nephite dissenters,) to teach them the gospel.  They begin together, preparing themselves spiritually on the way.  Their route is not specified, but at some point, Ammon and Aaron separate near the Lamanite borders.  Ammon finds his way to the land of Ishmael, while Aaron ends up in Jerusalem, Ani-Anti, Middoni, and eventually the land of Nephi.  Their efforts prove hugely successful, and eventually lead to a mass exodus of Lamanites, who migrate to Nephite lands.
8. Nephite Migrations Northward
   Some time later, there were a number of conflicts among the Nephites, that lead to widespread dissent.  Many Nephites decided to leave their land in Zarahemla, and travel to unspecified locations “northward.”  Despite the differences in climate and natural resources, they seem to flourish.  Much later, these northern lands appear to become the hub of Nephite civilization, and are the location of many Nephite outposts in their final battles against the Lamanites.
9. Nephite Sea Travels on Hagoth’s Ships (2009/03/24 update)
   Hagoth is a briefly mentioned yet generally well-known man described as “exceedingly curious”.  He builds a boat near the “narrow neck of land,” and sends a group of people “northward.”  He apparently does not join them, because he is busy building more ships when this first ship comes back.  Upon the first ship’s return, more Nephites set off towards the “land northward” on Hagoth’s ships, and they are never heard from again.  The Book of Mormon text is silent regarding their final destination.
10. Jacob and his People’s Departure
    A mysterious and oft-overlooked man named Jacob is the ringleader of a Gadianton secret combination revival following the demise of the Gadiantons under Zemnariah.  By this time, the Nephite society has broken down into tribal factions, yet they still were united against the Gadiantons.  Jacob, seeing himself outnumbered by his enemies, takes his followers and leads them to the land northward, where they establish a kingdom.  We never hear about them again.

Conspicuously missing from this list are the journey of the Mulekites and the Jaredites, as they left the Old World for the New.  Details about the Mulekite travels are so sparse, and the reliability of their account so questionable (remember they had no written records, only oral traditions) their journey could not be counted here.  The Jaredite travels are indeed noteworthy, but they are explored to a more full extend in a previous blog post: Jaredite Barges