Mormon continues his catalog of Lamanite evils by specify that they were “very indolent,” which obviously describes their non-laboring elites. In Nephite ideology, not working with your hands was the definition of indolence.
Idol worship was virtually universal in Mormon’s day and would certainly have been pervasive in Alma’s. Archaeological evidence from the Mesoamerican cities that have been excavated show ample evidence of having certain types of figurines and depictions that clearly seem to have religious significance. Under these circumstances, Mormon seems restrained in saying “many” rather than “all” worshipped the idols, although perhaps he saw an intensifying trend over time that led him to interpret the earlier period as somewhat limited. His mentions of “idols”—meaning actual figures—does not have any specific support in the text for Alma’s period, even though it is clear that the Lamanites worshipped multiple foreign gods. The archaeological record is much clearer on multiple deities.
Mormon states that “the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers.” However, his next phrase, “notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance,” apparently relates the curse to their apostasy from the true religion, since they are redeemed from the curse by repentance and conversion. (See commentary accompanying 2 Nephi 25:21.)
One aspect of the curse was the social separation of Nephites from Lamanites, with a particular prohibition against intermarriage (2 Ne. 5:23, Alma 3:8). However, when a Lamanite was converted, he became a Nephite and the marriage prohibition is never mentioned again. Indeed, converted Lamanites live in Nephite lands and become completely accepted members of Nephite society (as, for example, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies will).