As it was in the early days of Mormon emigration into the far west so also it was a custom among the Nephites to name a settlement after him who was first in possession of the regions round about. This custom appears to have been more prevalent among the Nephites, however, the Saints of the Latterdays established their Smithfield, their Kaysville, Wellsville, and many others. The Nephites had their Ammonihah, city of Helam, Zeezrom, etc., but often as in these last days many places of greater importance were named after events that happened there, or in commemoration of past homes and places of endearment.
We believe the name, Zarahemla is a form of another name, Jerusalem. What could have been more natural than for the Mulekites to have named their new home after the one they were forced to leave, and which they loved so much? We read of New York, New Amsterdam, New South Wales! "What," may we ask, "could have prevented the loyal subjects of King Zedekiah naming their place of abode, New Jerusalem, or just Jerusalem?"