Mormon continues his interest in conflict. In this case, he notes that the people of Limhi live in peace so that he can contrast that peace with the conflict which is coming. What Mormon does not say about this new conflict is that it is probably simply a continuation of the conditions that created the peace prior to the abduction of the Lamanite daughters. The people of Limhi had an oath of peace with the Lamanites that had included a heavy burden of tribute. Those conditions had not changed, and perhaps individual Lamanites still harbored resentment and suspicions about the abduction of the young women. Thus, the heavy burdens placed on the people of Limhi were a continuation of the previous requirement to surrender half of all that they owned or created.
What is important for Mormon is that this condition of subservience came as a fulfilment to prophecy, and a confirmation that Abinadi was not only a prophet, but a prophet who had taught as Jehovah had required.