Mosiah 7

Summary: Ammon finds the land of Lehi-Nephi where Limhi is king—Limhi’s people are in bondage to the Lamanites—Limhi recounts their history—A prophet (Abinadi) had testified that Christ is the God and Father of all things—Those who sow filthiness reap the whirlwind, and those who put their trust in the Lord shall be delivered. About 121 B.C.

So after a few years of peace, Mosiah is anxious to know about the people who went up to the land of Lehi-Nephi. He sent 16 of his strong men to travel. Now they did not know exactly where to go so they wandered for 40 days. (40 is an interesting number as it pertains to wandering, don't you think?) :)

Then they finally came to a city and four men went down unto it. They just happened to run into the king and his guards, who took them and cast them into prison for two days. (I wonder why, if the king was so curious as to who they were, did he wait for 2 days? He must have been busy with something.)

Anyway, after that the king told them that he had spared their lives because he wanted to know who they were. When they all finally realized that the men had come from Zarahemla and that Limhi was the grandson of Zeniff, they rejoiced. It must have been exciting for them to all realize that both communities were alive.

The people of Limhi were currently under bondage to the Lamanites and had to pay a grievous tax. But now, they had hope of being delivered from bondage.

Limhi gathered the people the next day to the temple. Isn't that great? They gathered at the temple. What does that tell us? That we can learn great things there? That we must always be worthy to gather at the temple at a moment's notice?

He spoke to the people and recounted a bit of their history - that they were in bondage because the people had not been righteous. They had even slain a prophet - Abinidi.

(I'm excited to go back in time and read about Noah, and Abinidia, and Alma. Such great stories with great teachings.)

The people are reaping the punishments that came from sowing sins. But Limhi gives them hope. He ends with:
33 But if ye will aturn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all bdiligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

Now if you are all confused (as is easy to be) about all the travels of the different groups of Nephites, here is a little bit of help for ya.

Using the map “Significant Journeys in the Book of Mormon” locate the city of Zarahemla (A) and Zeniff’s colony in the land of Lehi-Nephi (B). Also locate the following journeys between Zarahemla and the land of Lehi-Nephi:

The ill-fated expedition (1)
Zeniff’s expedition (2)
The expedition of forty-three men to find Zarahemla (3)
Alma’s escape (4) to the Waters of Mormon (C) and the establishment of the city of Helam (E)
Ammon’s expedition to find Zeniff’s colony (5)
Limhi’s escape to Zarahemla (6)
Alma’s escape to Zarahemla (7)