In that day when the Lamanites would again despise the Holy One of Israel, they, like their counterparts in the Old World, would be destined to become a hiss and a byword, a people who wander and perish in the flesh. Yet Zenos foresaw a day when Israel would no longer harden their hearts and would again be gathered to the covenant of salvation (see 1 Nephi 19:11-19). Also, according to the prophets the gospel was destined to come again to the Lamanites in the last days, notwithstanding that in the interim they would become “a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people .... led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.
And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the land. But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel. And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.” (Mormon 5:15-21.)