Apparently, the purpose of the Nephite rebellion under king Limhi was not to escape the land of Lehi-Nephi, but just "to drive them [the Lamanites] out of their land" (Mosiah 21:7). Limhi's people wanted at the very least to avoid persecution at the hands of the Lamanites, and perhaps to rid themselves of the tribute of "one half of all they possessed" (Mosiah 19:26).