Given the landscape proposed for Alma’s escape route, it is no surprise that they found themselves in a valley. The Cuchumatanes Mountains are a maze of mountains and valleys, which is one explanation for how multiple groups could pass through the same general area but not easily come across each other. (See commentary following Mosiah 23:31–32.)
The naming of the valley Alma is certainly more symbolic, since the Almaites are only a single day away from their oppressors and they certainly would not have considered putting down permanent roots. Nevertheless, the naming reconfirms Alma’s leadership. (See commentary accompanying Mosiah 23:19.)
Variant: In the printer’s manuscript and the 1830 edition, this verse began: “It came to pass that Alma.… ” This phrase was removed in the corrections to the printer’s manuscript and in subsequent printed editions. The printer’s manuscript also had the phrase “and they called the name of the valley Alma.” Skousen notes that while this is redundant, it is also characteristic of Book of Mormon usage.