152 Yea, they went again, even the third time, and suffered in the like manner; and those that were not slain, returned again to the city of Nephi.
153 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.
154 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God, that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.
155 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry, because of their iniquities;
156 Nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.
157 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger.
158 Now there was a great number of women more than there was of men; therefore King Limhi commanded that every man should impart to the support of the widows and their children, that they might not perish with hunger; and this they did, because of the greatness of their number that had been slain.
159 Now the people of Limhi kept together in a body as much as it was possible, and secure their grain, and their flocks;
160 And the king himself did not trust his person without the walls of the city, unless he took his guards with him, fearing that he might by some means fall into the hands of the Lamanites.
161 And he caused that his people should watch the land round about, that by some means they might take those priests that fled into the wilderness, who had stolen the daughters of the Lamanites, and that had caused such a great destruction to come upon them;
162 For they were desirous to take them, that they might punish them: for they had come into the land of Nephi by night, and carried off their grain, and many of their precious things; therefore they laid wait for them.
