A Dictionary of the Book of Mormon/Jershon
JERSHON. This was the name given to the regions set apart by the Nephites (B. C. 78) as the home of the Ammonites, or Christian Lamanites. It was situated to the north of Zarahemla and was evidently chosen for the reason that the strength of the Nephite nation would lie between the fugitives and their former countrymen, the Lamanites, who then thirsted for their blood. It was bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the land Bountiful on the north and east, and by the land of Antionum on the south. Its western boundary is not defined, but we are inclined to believe, from the context, that it was the river Sidon. Its geographical situation is partly described in Alma, 27:22, thus: We [the Nephites] will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful. With regard to its southern boundary, Alma, 31:3, states that Antionum lav to the south of it. No sooner had the Ammonites taken possession of the land Jershon than a church was established there, with Ammon; the son of king Mosiah, as the high priest. The first attempt on the integrity of its members was made by the anti-Christ Korihor (B. C. 75), but by Ammon's orders he was escorted beyond the borders of Jershon. When division arose among the Zoramites, in the land of Antionum, regarding the preaching of Alma and his associates, and the gospel believers were driven from their homes by their intolerant fellow citizens, Jershon became their place of refuge. The Ammonites having in like manner suffered persecution received the fugitives gladly, and, indifferent alike to the threats and appeals of the Zoramite leaders, found them homes and afforded them the needed succor and helpful guidance (B. C. 75). In the war that followed, Jershon was dispossessed of its citizens and occupied by an army of the Nephites. No battles, however, appear to have been fought there, as the Lamanite commanders transferred the scene of hostilities to other regions. (B. C. 74.) After this, Jershon is not mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon.