The Ship of Hagoth

Alma 63:5–7

"And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an exceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land northward. And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions,  .  .  . and they took their course northward. And thus ended the thirty and seventh year. And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built other ships. And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provi-sions, and set out again to the land northward."

Although the destination of Hagoth’s ship is uncertain, the lines of the sail, the prow, and the rudder point forward, as do the crew mem-bers and passengers, and the sky and water are peaceful. Anticipation rather than fear or concern seems to dominate. The water splashes forward of the boat. Teichert, who spent most of her life in a mountainous desert, apparently did not understand the action of boats against water as well as she understood the movement of animals.