32 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was made king over this people, he being overzealous to inherit the land of his fathers,
33 Therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of King Laman, who having entered into a treaty with King Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom; and the land round about;
34 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection, or into bondage.
35 And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks, and our herds;
36 And even one half of all we have or possess, the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
37 And now, is not this grievous to be borne?
38 And is not this, our affliction great?
39 Now behold, how great reason have we to mourn.
40 Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn: for behold, how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.
41 For if this people had not fallen into transgressions, the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them.
42 But behold, they would not hearken unto his words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves.
