Cultural: Lamoni declares to his people that “they were a free people, that they were free from the oppressions of the king, his father; for that his father had granted unto him that he might reign over the people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land round about.” This is an important insight into Lamanite politics.
First, the very fact that Lamoni was a king subject to a king is an aspect that rings true in Mesoamerica, but not necessarily in other parts of the world. Secondly, note that the people are “free from the oppressions” of the over-king. Of what are they freed? In the Mesoamerican model we have been using, they would be freed of their responsibility to provide tribute. Because tribute was part of the produce of the people, it is easy to understand how it might be seen as oppressive to be required to send part of their produce to another city, with no overt goods in exchange.