The problem faced by Alma was multifaceted. First of all, Zoram was leading his people to worship idols (v. 1). However, there was more to the problem than worshiping the idols. Later we read that the acceptance or restoration of the gospel among them “did destroy their craft” (Alma 34:3). Apparently there was a monetary element to the movement. It reminds us of the silversmith who “made silver shrines for Diana [which] brought no small gain unto the craftsmen” (Acts 19:24). Paul had “persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods” (Acts 19:26). The love of money had turned the hearts of the Zoramites away from God just as the people at Ephesus and throughout all Asia were turned away later (see Acts 19:26).
The location of the land called Antionum is estimated on the map in chapter nine of this work. Again there is no attempt to place it in modern geography.