According to Brant Gardner, the offer of enslavement ("we will be their slaves"--Alma 27:8) tells us a few things that should be noted. The first is that while slavery is expressly not a part of Nephite culture (see Mosiah 2:13), it is nevertheless a prevalent cultural option. Not only does the King of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies suggest becoming a slave, but it previous times so did Limhi (Mosiah 7:15). The suggestion of voluntary slavery is made by two different Kings who were in the land of Nephi at the time of their suggestion. While Limhi was of Nephite heritage, he also was of the second generation of the people of Zeniff to grow up in the land of Nephi. This strongly suggests that the practice of slavery was common in Lamanite lands, particularly in the land of Nephi. Slavery was a known practice in Mesoamerica. [Brant Gardner, Book of Mormon Commentary, [http://www.highfiber.com/~nahualli/LDStopics/Alma/Alma27.htm], p. 3]