The reader should notice that although Limhi was a son of Noah, he had "the kingdom conferred upon him by the people" (Mosiah 19:6). Limhi presumably began to be a leader at approximately the same time Noah was killed. If the timetable below is close to being correct, then Limhi reigned for about 18 years before he led his people to the land of Zarahemla.
Year* (* From when Lehi left Jerusalem)
460 Alma flees into the wilderness to the waters of Mormon. (Mosiah 17:4)
462 Noah sends an army after Alma, Lamanites attack Noah, Noah flees and is killed, Limhi reigns.
(Mosiah 18:34---19:26)
477 Mosiah2 begins to reign in Zarahemla. (Mosiah 6:4)
480 Three years of peace under Mosiah2. (Mosiah 7:1)
480 Mosiah2 sends Ammon to find the descendants of Zeniff's group. (Mosiah 7:2-3)
480 Ammon comes---Ammon and Limhi escape to Zarahemla. (Mosiah 7:3-7; 22:11-13)
[Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Mosiah 20:5] [See Appendix A]
“Limhi Having the Kingdom Conferred Upon Him by the People”
According the John Tvedtnes, the choice of Limhi as the new king of the Nephites in the land of Nephi is one of a number of bits of evidence that might place the whole scenario of events in Mosiah 19 as happening during the feast of tabernacles. To be sure, Limhi's appointment would have been necessary because his father was dead. But one wonders at the timing of Gideon's attempt to overthrow King Noah in the first place. Was the feast of tabernacles chosen for the revolt, in order to enthrone a righteous man as the Lord's representative on earth? The text, even before mentioning Limhi's appointment as king, takes pains to mention Limhi's awareness of his father's iniquity and the fact that he deserved to die--though Limhi wanted to save him.
The reader should note, for example that the Lamanite attack which had coincided with Gideon's rebellion was discovered by king Noah as he fought Gideon atop the "tower" near the temple in the city of Nephi (Mosiah 19:4-5). The tower may have been constructed, as the text previously has suggested in regard to the speech of King Benjamin (Mosiah 2:7-8), for the feast of tabernacles.
Soon after the battle, Noah's priests came to capture Lamanite girls whom they saw dancing (Mosiah 20:1-5). The incident is so similar to the story in Judges 20:19-23 as to suggest that, in fact, the dance was at a sacred place and was part of the celebration of the feast of tabernacles.
It also should be noted that the fall festivals of the month of Tishre, was a time when citizen soldiers in the ancient Near East returned home to engage in the fall harvest. Seen in this light, the events of Mosiah 19 seem to be further evidence that the Nephites and Lamanites continued to observe Old World traditions which are reflected in the law of Moses. [John A. Tvedtnes, "The Nephite Purification Ceremony," in The Most Correct Book, pp. 183-184, 186]
Mosiah 19:26 Limhi, being the son of the king [Noah], having the kingdom conferred upon him by the people (Nephite Record Keepers) [[Illustration]]: Nephite Record Keepers. Adapted from [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 155]
Mosiah 19:26 Limhi began to establish the kingdom (Major Nephite Leaders) [[Illustration]]: The Major Leaders During Nephite History. [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 160]