In addition to the bondage in which the Nephites were held, King Limhi recounted to them the several unsuccessful efforts they had made to gain liberty. In these vain attempts "many of our brethren have been slain," "and all because of iniquity," he said.
If we had not yielded to the blandishments of sin, and had not rejected the words of God's servants whom He sent to warn us, the Lord would not have suffered this great affliction to come upon us. King Limhi further reminded his people of the discord and the contentions among them that sometimes rose to such heights that they even shed the blood of their antagonists.