Mosiah 11:16 - 11:20

Mosiah 11:16 And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in upon his people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their fields, and while they were tending their flocks.

The Lamanites now started pulling off small raids on the people while they were looking after their animals in the fields.

Mosiah 11:17 And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to exercise their hatred upon them.

King Noah spent some men as guards to help guard their flocks but they were not enough. The Lamanites killed them and took their herds.

Mosiah 11:18 And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.

King Noah then sent a army and were able to drive the Lamanites out of their lands back to their own country.

Mosiah 11:19 And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests.

The armies of king Noah began to brag about their powers. In fact they thought themselves almost invincible. They told each other that 50 of their own men could stand against a 1000 Lamanites. They bragged about their prowess in battle and delighted telling each other about how well they fought in battle and how many they each killed. All this talk was because of the influence of the king and his wicked priests.

Mosiah 11:20 And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger.

One man among them was horrified at their behavior and was visited by the Lord. The Lord told him to go among his people and tell them this: the people are behaving in a manner that is revolting to God. Unless they repent, they will be punished by the Lord.