The detail that Morianton’s ruler is also named Morianton reinforces the pattern that cities are named for their ruler. The cities retain the founder’s name long after he is long gone. Thus, we still have a land of Nephi and a city of Nephi long after Nephi1 has died. Zarahemla’s city kept his name even after the Nephites took over the leadership of the city and eventually of the greater land. The fact that the city of Morianton is still led by Morianton tells us that this city is relatively new, though certainly older than the city of Lehi which is less than four years old.
Although Mormon does not say so, the land of Zarahemla has apparently experienced a population increase and is expanding northward. Morianton fears Moroni’s army—with good reason, since Moroni had defeated the combined Lamanite armies, which surely numbered more than any army Morianton could muster. It is no surprise then, that he decides to flee north to a land “covered with large bodies of water.” This area does not seem to be far distant and is not yet under Nephite control; however, it has strategic importance for the Nephite lands. It is probable that this is the same land of waters in which the hill Cumorah is located (Morm. 6:4).