In 87 B.C.,“the Amlicites came upon the hill Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land of Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the Nephites” (Alma 2:15). Alma “went up with his people,” as head of his armies, “and they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill [Amnihu] east of Sidon” (Alma 2:16–17). We suggest to carry out an effective fight “upon” the top of a hill, the crown would have been somewhat flat and not too high in elevation. The Nephites under the command of Alma persisted in pursuing “the Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls; and there were slain of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls” (Alma 2:19). When “Alma could pursue the Amlicites no longer he caused that his people should pitch their tents in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night” (Alma 2:20).

This “all day” military pursuit and deadly combat suggests the hill Amnihu was within the maximal distance of a challenging day’s journey from the valley of Gideon—say, five to ten miles. All these scriptural triangulations place the valley of Gideon and the hill Amnihu on the east of river Sidon, with the valley of Gideon on the opposite side of the river from the city of Zarahemla (Alma 2:15, 26–27; 6:7–8). Our proposed hill Amnihu in Baja California is located on the east of the river Sidon, some six miles south of the valley of Gideon. In alignment with the recorded combat setting, the hill is not too high in elevation, with a flat top that could serve as a battleground.