“They Shall Be a Scourge Unto Thy Seed”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

The Lamanites were a constant reminder, an ever-present object lesson to the Nephites on the importance of obedience and uprightness. The Lamanites demonstrated clearly the depths to which a nation could sink through spiritual rebellion. In addition, very frequently Lamanite successes in battle would come to evidence a creeping complacency, an eroding spirituality among the Nephites.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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