In the journey with his father to the Land of Zarahemla, or to the Land Southward, Mormon observed that the whole face of the land through which they traveled was covered with buildings, and the people who dwelt thereon were as numerous as the "sand of the sea." This observation made by such a sober young man should verify the fact that the Nephite people had grown great in numbers, and fat in material things.
It was in the year 322 A.D., that actual war broke out between the Nephites and the Lamanites for the first time since the Redeemer's appearing. It commenced in the Land of Zarahemla near the Waters of Sidon. A number of battles were fought in which the armies of the Nephites were victorious, the Nephites having gathered together more than thirty thousand men to do battle. The Lamanites, unprepared to meet such a formidable array withdrew their design of conquest, and retreated to an uneasy peace which lasted for four years.