According to David Palmer, the reference to a "point" in Alma 52:9 emphasizes the fact that the entire isthmus was not being spoken of. [David A. Palmer, In Search of Cumorah, pp. 31-32]
For those who define their "narrow neck of land" as the distance across an isthmus in a west-east direction, the "narrow pass" would represent not only a "point," but a separate and distinct geographical entity from the "narrow neck of land." That is, the "narrow pass" would be running in a south-north direction. However, if the "narrow neck of land" represented a narrow travel corridor which first ran northward along the west coast, then turned and traveled through an isthmus in a west-east direction before turning northward along the east coast, the term "narrow pass" could be taken as another way of describing the "small neck of land." In other words, one could interchange the terms "narrow pass" and "narrow neck of land." Thus, for one traveling northward, they would have to reach a "point" somewhere along a "narrow pass" ("small neck of land") traveling in a west-east direction from coast to coast. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See Geographical Theory Maps] [See the commentary on Alma 50:33-34; Helaman 4:7; Alma 63:5; Mormon 3:5-7]
Alma 52:9 He should fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward ([Illustration]): Map #4, Narrow Neck of Land Region Archaeological Sites Dating to Book of Mormon Period. [David A. Palmer, In Search of Cumorah, pp. 256-257]