11 Therefore it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the land for the space of twelve years [about 188 B.C.] that king Laman began to grow uneasy, lest by any means my people should wax strong in the land, and that they could not overpower them and bring them into bondage.
12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields.
13 Therefore it came to pass that king Laman began to stir up his people that they should contend with my people; therefore there began to be wars and contentions in the land.
14 For, in the thirteenth year [about 187 B.C.] of my reign in the land of Nephi, away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous host of Lamanites came upon them and began to slay them, and to take off their flocks, and the corn of their fields.
15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for protection.
12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields.
13 Therefore it came to pass that king Laman began to stir up his people that they should contend with my people; therefore there began to be wars and contentions in the land.
14 For, in the thirteenth year [about 187 B.C.] of my reign in the land of Nephi, away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous host of Lamanites came upon them and began to slay them, and to take off their flocks, and the corn of their fields.
15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for protection.
Mosiah 9:11-15 (Emphasis mine)
After twelve years, the people prospered in their new land. Zeniff told us (v10 - see previous post) that the only reason King Laman agreed to let them settle in the lands was because he ultimately wanted to make them slaves to provide for the Lamanites. The fact that they were becoming a strong people also weighed heavily on the King's mind.
Zeniff explains why King Laman wanted to place Zeniff and his people into slavery (see v12). The Lamanites were lazy. They wanted to live off the work of others.
This brings up an interesting issue when reading the Book of Mormon. Winston Churchill said that "History is written by the victor." What we read in the Book of Mormon was compiled by those (Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni) who were deeply religious men. What we read we read from their perspective, philosophies, and biases.
In this case, for whatever reason, Mormon chose to quote directly from a record rather than abridge this portion (chapters 10 & 11). Beginning chapter 12, Mormon returns to his abridgement. Why? While we don't know, we can certainly speculate. In my previous post, I explained that I believe Mormon's main purpose in his abridgement is to relate to us the constant rise and fall of Nephite society. When they are righteous, they prosper. When they are wicked, they suffer. Zeniff's words support this. While they were traveling to the land of Lehi-Nephi, they were wicked and suffered. They repented, became a righteous people, and we read about their prosperity. Zeniff's account fits Mormon's purposes quite well. As we read the later record, we see that there are different stories being told at the same time. It seems to help the flow of the narrative for Mormon to step in and abridge beginning with chapter 12.
With few exceptions, the Lamanites don't come off well in the Book of Mormon. References to them, as a people, are much like Zeniff's description. The fact is we have no idea what they were really like. We are reading history written by those who knew their records would be preserved for future generations. I have no doubt that Zeniff and Mormon believe they are giving an accurate description of the Lamanites, but this is coming from the Nephite perspective.
I'm not saying that the description is not correct, I'm just saying when we read the Book of Mormon, we have to remember we need to examine the motivation of Mormon (in this case). Why did he include this story? Why did he use the words he did? By asking these questions, we get a better understanding of the Book of Mormon and the messages that are meant for us today.
Let's get back to the account.
As the Nephites prospered, they became strong and a threat (in King Laman's mind) to the safety of the Lamanites. They were also a great source of free labor. So, he sent in an army to conquer the Nephites.
The people saw the armies coming and went to Zeniff for protection.
This was a situation that was similar to that faced by the Jews in Egypt.
8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
Exodus 1:8-14 (Emphasis mine)
Whether or not the Lamanites
6 ¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou asleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou asleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Proverbs 6:6-9 (Emphasis mine)
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 13:4 (Emphasis mine)
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 (Emphasis mine)
In the October 2010 General Conference, Elder Patrick Kearon of the First Quorum of the Seventy said:
"... I testify from my own experience as a boy and as a man that disregarding what we know to be right, whether through laziness or rebelliousness, always brings undesirable and spiritually damaging consequences ,,, When it comes to how we live the gospel, we must not respond with laziness or rebelliousness ... Deviating to the right or the left of the safe track ahead of us, whether because of laziness or rebelliousness, can prove fatal to our spiritual lives. There are no exceptions to this rule." (Emphasis mine)
6 And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites to battle.
17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.
18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty–three; we did slay them even until we had driven them out of our land.
19 And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their dead. And behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two hundred and seventy–nine of our brethren were slain.
17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.
18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty–three; we did slay them even until we had driven them out of our land.
19 And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their dead. And behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two hundred and seventy–nine of our brethren were slain.
Mosiah 9:16-19 (Emphasis mine)
The Nephites went to war to preserve themselves and their society. At this time, they are a righteous people. They asked the Lord to help them in their battle. And, He did. They successfully defeated a much larger and stronger army than theirs. Their losses were much smaller than the Lamanites; but, there was much sorry over their losses even though they won.
11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Psalms 29:11 (Emphasis mine)
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psalms 84:4-5 (Emphasis mine)
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 10:28-29 (Emphasis mine)
So we see that the people of Zeniff prospered in their righteousness. When a stronger army came to conquer them, they were able to defeat this army, strengthened by the Lord.
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