Mosiah 9:11 - 9:15

Mosiah 9:11 Therefore it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the land for the space of twelve years that king Laman began to grow uneasy, lest by any means my people should wax strong in the land, and that they could not overpower them and bring them into bondage.

After 12 years, king Laman started to put his plan into action. Besides he was beginning to get nervous about the Nephites and their growing numbers. [Much like pharaoh of Egypt towards the children of Israel in Moses’ day. I also wonder if their were other Nephites immigrating in from Zarahemla as well which may have added greater numbers?]

Mosiah 9:12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields.

The Lamanites were not an industrious people in that they did not necessarily plant crops or maintain livestock. They lived off the land and king Laman thought he could just take what he wanted from the Nephites.

Mosiah 9:13 Therefore it came to pass that king Laman began to stir up his people that they should contend with my people; therefore there began to be wars and contentions in the land.

King Laman then started a campaign of propaganda to get the people angry at the Nephites enough to go to war with them. This was now the start of wars between the Nephites in the land of Nephi and the Lamanites.

Mosiah 9:14 For, in the thirteenth year of my reign in the land of Nephi, away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous host of Lamanites came upon them and began to slay them, and to take off their flocks, and the corn of their fields.

In the 13th year of the occupation of the Nephites of the two cities they settled, the Lamanites attached some of the Nephites who had settled south of Shilom. In the attach many Nephites were killed and the Lamanites stole their corn and livestock.

Mosiah 9:15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for protection.

These settlers then fled for safety to the city of Nephi and for help from king Zeniff against the Lamanites.