“A subtle warning is presented in this verse. There is nothing wrong with being zealous (which means energetic, dynamic, dedicated) in a cause, but overzealousness can be dangerous and an example of a strength becoming a weakness. Apparently, Zeniff was obsessed with the idea of resettling the old homeland, and he was blinded by the motives of the Lamanite king, who took advantage of him.
“Wisdom suggests that we avoid becoming overzealous and instead keep things in balance” (Ogden and Skinner, Book of Mormon, 1:332 ).