In Alma 51:26, the city of Lehi is included in a list of cities, "all of which were on the east borders by the seashore." The reader should notice that there is a distinction made here relating to geographical location. This verse doesn't say that Lehi was located in the borders of the seashore, but by the borders of the seashore. Furthermore, in Alma 50:25 it says that the land of Lehi and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of Lehi were both "on the borders by the seashore." Therefore, we might ask the question, Does the phrase in Alma 50:15, "by the borders of the seashore" mean the same as the phrase "on the borders by the seashore"? And do these phrases mean the same as just plain "by the seashore," or "on the seashore?" [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
They Began to Build Many Cities on the North
In Alma 50:13-14, Mormon notes the building of two cities in the east wilderness, the city of Moroni and the city of Nephihah. The reader should note that in the very next verse Mormon says, "And they also began in that same year to build many cities on the north . . ." (Alma 50:15). If I am interpreting that phrase correctly, then what Mormon is saying is that in addition to the cities of Moroni and Nephihah, which were in the east wilderness, which wilderness was on the north of the land of Zarahemla, that the Nephites built many other cities on the north of the land of Zarahemla in the east wilderness. If this interpretation is correct, then the east wilderness was on the very northeast section of the general land of Zarahemla.
On the other hand, the phrase "on the north" might mean on the north of the cities of Moroni and Nephihah.