Mosiah 21

Limhi and his people returned to the city of Nephi and lived in peace. But after some time, the Lamanites began to be stirred up again against the Nephites. They began to move into the borders of the land.

The Lamanites did not dare kill the people of Limhi, because of the promises that their king had made. But they would hit the people on their cheeks and boss them around and put heavy burdens on their backs and drive them as they would drive a stupid donkey.

The troubles of the Nephites were great and there was no way they could get out, for the Lamanites surrounded them on every side. The people began to complain to the king and wanted to go against the Lamanites in battle. They complained so much that the king told them to do what they wanted.

So they came together, put on their armor and went against the Lamanites. But the Lamanites beat them, pushed them back and killed many of them. There was a great howling and weeping among the people of Limhi.

There were many widows in the land. They cried from day to day in great fear. Their constant cries made the men of Limhi mad at the Lamanites. They went again to battle, but they were driven back again suffering much death. They battled again and suffered even more death.

Those who were not killed returned to the city of Nephi. They humbled themselves to the dust and allowed themselves to be slaves and be beaten and driven by their enemies. They humbled themselves in sadness. They prayed mightily to God all day long to save them from their hardships.

The Lord was slow to hear their cries because of their sins. After a time, the Lord heard their cries and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites to ease their burdens. They began to prosper a little bit at a time and raise more grain, flocks and herds so they did not starve.

There were no more troubles between the Lamanites and the people of Limhi, even up to the time that Ammon and his brothers came into the land.

Limhi had his people watch for those priests who had stolen the daughters of the Lamanites. These priests came to their land at night to steal grain and many things.

The king was outside the city gates with his guards when they saw Ammon and his brothers coming. Limhi thought they were the hiding priests. This is why the king had Ammon tied and put into prison. When he learned they were his brothers from Zarahemla, he was filled with joy.

Ammon and his brothers were filled with sadness because so many of their brothers had been killed and because King Noah and his priests had caused the people to commit so many sins. They were sad Abinadi was killed.

They were sad that they did not know where to find Alma’s people. Since the arrival of Ammon, King Limhi and many of his people promised God to serve him and keep his commandments. They now wanted to be baptized, but there was no one in the land with authority from God. Ammon would not do it because he felt he was not worthy. So they waited for the Holy Ghost to guide them.

The people wanted so much to become as Alma and his church, who had gone into the wilderness. They wanted to be baptized to show they were willing to serve God with all their hearts. But they had to wait. They also needed to find a way out of slavery to the Lamanites.