The nature of the Lamanites had not changed since the days of Enos, close to four hundred years. Enos described the Lamanites as being of an “evil nature, that they became wild and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness” (Enos 1:20). The Lord was “visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Mosiah 13:13; Exodus 20:5). This condition is the natural result of living without the gospel, not the retaliation of an offended God.
Calling upon Zeniff for protection was also a learned behavior of his people. “Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance his name. And whoso should reign in his stead were called by the people, second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth, according to the reigns of the kings; and thus they were called by the people, let them be of whatever name they would. And it came to pass that Nephi died (Jacob 1:11–12). King Benjamin also “did fight with the strength of his own arm, with the sword of Laban” to defend his people (Words of Mormon 1:13).