According to geographical theory of John Sorenson, when we examine Mesoamerican geography from Santa Rosa, Chiapas (proposed city of Zarahemla) towards the highlands of Guatemala (the general land of Nephi), . . . movement upstream near the Grijalva river (Sidon) has always been limited by difficult terrain, particularly the presence of streams flowing into the Grijalva, which have cut ravines difficult to traverse. Bluffs near the river and small hills on the valley floor further complicate the route. By far the most common way around these obstacles has been to climb up and travel through the Chiapas highlands. Travelers move faster along those smooth, cooler valleys, where the Inter-American Highway now runs. . . . as did the colonial Spanish "camino real." If the land of Manti is near the headwaters of the river Sidon (Grijalva), then in traveling from Santa Rosa (the local land of Zarahemla) towards the headwaters (near the land of Manti) this just described Inter-American Highway might have been the general route of the Nephites. If the Anti-Nephi-Lehies followed this same route (only coming down from the Guatemala highlands--the general land of Nephi--instead of going up), it might explain how they possibly bypassed the local land of Zarahemla (no mention of it is made) in going "down into the land of Jershon" (Alma 27:26). [John L. Sorenson, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, F.A.R.M.S., p. 166] [See the commentary on Alma 27:26]
Geographical [Theory Map]: Alma 17:1 Alma Meets the Sons of Mosiah (14th Year)