11 Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the strength of men.
12 They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this—Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;
13 And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord—therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness.
14 And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.
15 And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.
16 And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.
17 And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.
18 For this very cause has king Laman, by his cunning, and lying craftiness, and his fair promises, deceived me, that I have brought this my people up into this land, that they may destroy them; yea, and we have suffered these many years in the land.
12 They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this—Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;
13 And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord—therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness.
14 And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.
15 And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.
16 And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.
17 And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.
18 For this very cause has king Laman, by his cunning, and lying craftiness, and his fair promises, deceived me, that I have brought this my people up into this land, that they may destroy them; yea, and we have suffered these many years in the land.
Mosiah 10:11-18 (Emphasis mine)
Why does the problems between the Nephites and Lamanites continue throughout the Book of Mormon? In this series of of scriptures, Zeniff does an excellent job explaining this.
According to the traditions of the Lamanites, Nephi wronged Laman and Lemuel. They lost their birthright to "rule" over the family. They were forced to come to the New World against their will. They were always being called to repent by Nephi when they weren't doing anything wrong. Nephi stole things that were their birthright, things like the brass plates, the sword of Laban, etc.
They have been in the Americas over 400 years, yet the bitterness and hatred continues. In many ways, this reflects the Middle East. The roots of the conflict goes back to Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael. Jews and Christians believe that Isaac is the "favored" son. He was the one that Abraham was going to sacrifice. It is through him that the blessings of Abraham flow. Islam believes the opposite. It was Ishmael who was going to be sacrificed. It is through Ishmael that the blessings of Abraham flow. Hagar and Ishmael were wronged when they were cast out into the desert.
To learn more, I would recommend the book Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler.
To learn more, I would recommend the book Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler.
So we see a similar tradition causing conflict through the 1,000 years of the Nephite/Lamanite society.
19 And now I, Zeniff, after having told all these things unto my people concerning the Lamanites, I did stimulate them to go to battle with their might, putting their trust in the Lord; therefore, we did contend with them, face to face.
20 And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of our land; and we slew them with a great slaughter, even so many that we did not number them.
21 And it came to pass that we returned again to our own land, and my people again began to attend their flocks, and to till their ground.
22 And now I, being old [about 160 B.C.], did confer the kingdom upon one of my sons; therefore, I say no more. And may the Lord bless my people. Amen.
20 And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of our land; and we slew them with a great slaughter, even so many that we did not number them.
21 And it came to pass that we returned again to our own land, and my people again began to attend their flocks, and to till their ground.
22 And now I, being old [about 160 B.C.], did confer the kingdom upon one of my sons; therefore, I say no more. And may the Lord bless my people. Amen.
Mosiah 10:19-22 (Emphasis mine)
Once again, the Lamanites attack the Nephites. They were outnumbered, yet the Nephites defeated the Lamanite armies. Once again, we see that when the Nephites were righteous and obeying the Lord, they are protected by the Lord.
22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
Numbers 6:22-27 (Emphasis mine)
Zeniff's record ends with him conferring his kingdom on one of his sons. As we will see, he chose the wrong son; the choice does lead to rise of a great prophet and a new spiritual leader.
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