The story of the plight of the Christian Lamanites was rehearsed to Alma, who on hearing it, returned with the missionaries to Zarahemla. There the condition of affairs among the Lamanites was unfolded to the Chief Judge, who thereupon laid the whole subject before the people, so that whatever was done in relation to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies might be done by common consent.
The Nephites decided to give the Land of Jershon to these people for an inheritance. And not only that, but because the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi had foresworn any resort to arms, no matter how much they were provoked to do so, the Nephites also pledged their armies in the protection of the newcomers. "And behold, we will set our armies between the Land Jershon and the Land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the Land Jershon."
The Land Jershon was situated to the north of the City of Zarahemla, and was evidently chosen for the reason that the strength of the Nephite Nation would lie between the fugitives and their former countrymen, the Lamanites, who thirsted for their blood. It was bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Land Bountiful on the north and east, and by the Land of Antionum on the south. Its western boundary is not defined, but we are inclined to believe, from the context, that it was the River Sidon. With regard to its southern boundary (Alma 31:3) Antionum lay to the south of it.
Jershon means the Land of the expelled, or of the strangers. We think it altogether probable that this significant name was given it at the time it was set off for the habitation of these expatriated Lamanites, as it defines their condition as exiles, and their relation to the Nephites as strangers. The name is not mentioned before this event, and would possibly be the only local name by which it was known to the compiler of the Book of Mormon. Before the date of the exodus of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, it was, we think, considered a part of the Land of Zarahemla.
The only condition imposed on them by the Nephites upon giving up this vast area to the Christian Lamanites was that the newcomers should help maintain the army which was necessary to protect them by imparting a portion of their "substance" to assist in carrying on.
With this cheering news Ammon, accompanied by Alma, returned into the Southern Wilderness, to the place where his people were awaiting the decision of the Nephites. There the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were ministered to and comforted by Alma and others. After a short period of preparation in which both bodies and minds of the travelers were strengthened, they resumed their journey to the land set apart for their future abode.