Zarahemla

Zarahemla
Nephite capital in the Book of Mormon
Baptism of Limhi by George M. Ottinger (1888). Zarahemla is visible in the background.
Baptism of Limhi by George M. Ottinger (1888). Zarahemla is visible in the background.
Named forZarahemla (ruler)

Zarahemla (/ˌzærəˈhɛmlə/)[1] is a land in the Book of Mormon that for much of the narrative functions as the capital of the Nephites, their political and religious center. Zarahemla has been the namesake of multiple communities in the United States, has been alluded to in literature that references Mormonism, and has been portrayed in artwork depicting Book of Mormon content.

Most adherents of the Latter Day Saint movement regard the Book of Mormon as a translation of a genuinely historical text from the ancient Americas (a belief that mainstream academic archaeology does not corroborate). Some adherents have speculated about where Zarahemla would have been located or attempted to find archaeological evidence of it. Such attempts have been unsuccessful.

  1. ^ churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «zĕr-a-hĕm´la»