The Land and Valley of Gideon lay east of the river Sidon and were named after Gideon, a Nephite who was slain by Nehor with the sword. The valley first appears when Alma2, unable to pursue the Amlicites further, had his people pitch their tents there for the night after the battle (Alma 2:20).
A city of Gideon was later built in the valley. After leaving the church at Zarahemla, Alma2 crossed east of the Sidon into the valley of Gideon and declared the word of God to the church established there (Alma 6:7–8). Some years afterward Korihor, who taught against Christ, was carried into the land of Gideon and preached there, but had little success; he was taken and brought before the high priest Giddonah and the chief judge (Alma 30:21, 23).
When dissenters drove the chief judge Pahoran1 from Zarahemla, he fled to the land of Gideon (Alma 61:5). Moroni1 marched toward Gideon, gathering forces along the way, united his army with Pahoran’s there, and the two went down together to retake the city of Zarahemla from Pachus and his men (Alma 62:3–7). Samuel the Lamanite later pronounced woe upon the city of Gideon for its wickedness (Hel. 13:15).
The land of Gideon lay on the route between Zarahemla and Manti: Alma2 was traveling from Gideon southward toward Manti when he met the sons of Mosiah returning to Zarahemla (Alma 17:1; 27:16).