Limhi pointed to the trials which his people had undergone because of wickedness. He began his resume by citing the exploits of his grandfather, Zeniff. He told them that Zeniff was a man of redoubtable will; he was not easily discouraged but persevered so greatly in his scheme to re-colonize their old homes that he became "overzealous to inherit the land of his fathers."
Zeniff, Limhi reminded his people, made a treaty with the king of the Lamanites whereby he and his followers obtained much of the choicest land in the Lamanite kingdom. This treaty also gave them the cities of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom. Zeniff, by the voice of the people was then made king over all the Nephites who dwelt in that land.
King Laman had only one object in mind when he made that favorable treaty with Zeniff, Limhi declared. The well hidden purpose of the Lamanite king was to have settled in the midst of his indolent subjects a thrifty and industrious people as were the Nephites. When they became settled in their new homes, and the land given them began to yield an abundance of the field, the intention of King Laman was to extract as tribute from the hard-working Nephites a goodly portion of their income. In fulfillment of this plot Limhi declared that even then they were paying to the Lamanite king, one half of all the grain they produced, one half of the increase of their flocks and their herds, and even, he said, "one half of all we possess." We do this as he demands or we forfeit our lives.
Not to pity himself or his people, nor to offer any excuses for the past, King Limhi contrasted their awful condition with what it might have been had they served the Lord as was their portion. For them to see their almost hopeless state in their bitter remorse was sufficient cause for them to mourn.