A few years of peace and prosperity now followed. Mormon says that the Nephites multiplied exceedingly, and grew very rich. They were also blessed of the Lord. The sacred historian informs us there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi than at this time.
Again, the reason for this unprecedented era of peace and happiness was, as it always had been with other periods of goodwill, that the Nephites kept the commandments of the Lord. The Lord always fulfilled His promise made to the Prophet Lehi. "And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all His words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that His words are verified, even at this time, which He spake unto Lehi, saying: Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep My commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep the commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord." (vv. 19-20)
"And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions. And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites." (vv. 21-22)