We are informed that only the more righteous part of the people were spared from the devastating destruction that preceded the appearance of the Savior on this continent. Certainly among this number must have been many who had been Lamanites as well as many of those who were Nephites. It is interesting to ponder the language of the verses which describe those who remained. Note the use of the past perfect tense with reference to those who had been Lamanites:
‘… behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them… .’
This becomes the more significant when we read from 4 Nephi of the conditions which prevailed among the people following the Savior’s visitation: “There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.’
Those who lived to establish the Church of Jesus Christ in America after the Savior had ministered to them were apparently known only as the people of Nephi. A graphic description of them is given in these verses:
‘And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people.
‘And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.’
The curse which had been placed upon those who had been Lamanites had obviously been removed. The curse had been imposed until ‘they shall repent of their iniquities.’ Repentance was complete. Conditions of unsurpassed righteousness prevailed for 200 years. The two lines had become as one. This fact is of profound importance to the Lamanite of today who, having accepted the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, seeks for the restored blessings of his fathers. Not Father Laman and Father Lemuel, but the fathers who for two centuries demonstrated to the world for all time that God glories in those who are obedient to his will and blesses their lives with peace, security, and happiness which surpass the understanding of natural man.
After more than 200 years of unity and peace, the spirit of pride and contention began to find place among a segment of the people. This was the same spirit which had posses[s]ed the rebellious sons of Lehi in the beginning:
‘… and there was still peace in the land, save it were a small part of the people who had revolted from the church and taken upon them the name of Lamanites; therefore there began to be Lamanites again in the land.’
It is significant that the name ‘Lamanite’ here appears to become a generic term. That is, it refers to a general classification of people—those who revolted from the Church. These people may or may not have been the direct descendants of Laman and Lemuel. Whatever the case, it is evident that these people eventually incurred the same curse which had come upon the seed of Laman and Lemuel in the beginning.
(Dean L. Larsen, You and the Destiny of the Indian, pp. 21–22)