Social: The short version of the Limhite social/economic situation is laid before Ammon. Part of the pleasure in finding a connection to Zarahemla was the joy of restoring the contact with their own people. Even greater, however, is Limhi’s hope that the restoration of the connection to Zarahemla will lead to a powerful ally who will remove the yolk of tribute exacted by the Lamanites. This is a tremendous turnaround, and suggests that there were some parts of the exchange between Ammon and Limhi that we do not have. We must suppose that Limhi went from assuming the Zarahemlaites all dead to presuming that they were large and powerful enough to contest with the Lamanites. That is a great leap, and would seem to require that Ammon have told Limhi more about the current situation in Zarahemla. Our other possibility is that Limhi would assume that Zarahemla was reasonable powerful if it were able to spare the men for the search party, as well as outfit them.
Limhi’s contention that it would be better to be slaves to the Nephites than tributaries of the Lamanites is probably hyperbole. While it might possibly be true, to know that Nephite slavery would be better presumes a knowledge of Nephite slavery, a thing Benjamin insists he has not had his people practice. Indeed, for kinsmen to become slaves would require significant destitution. It is most likely that this is exaggerated language to stress the pain of their current situation, and to elicit the assistance of Zarahemla in a fight they know nothing of as yet.