Cities are places that the Nephites fortified and that people built in all quarters of the land. After withstanding the Lamanites, the Nephites “began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance” (Jarom 1:7). In a time of peace, people scattered in every direction, “building large cities and villages in all quarters of the land” (Mosiah 27:6).
Many highways and roads “led from city to city, and from land to land, and from place to place” (3 Nephi 6:8). “Many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shaken” until buildings fell, inhabitants were slain, and places were left desolate (3 Nephi 8:14).