Their compelled humility (v. 13) did not fully bring about the first condition for being delivered from bondage. They did “turn to the Lord” (v. 14). However, they may not yet have done so “with full purpose of heart; and put their trust in him” (Mosiah 7:33). The text does not tell us to what degree they had turned to or trusted in him, the second condition of being delivered. Neither were they meeting the third condition of being delivered; to “serve him with all diligence of mind” (Mosiah 7:33). Therefore, “the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities” (Mosiah 21:15).
As Nephites began improving, the Lord did soften the Lamanites hearts to ease the Nephites burdens (v. 15). The fourth condition, the Lord’s “own will and pleasure” had not yet come to fruition (Mosiah 7:33). To prosper by degrees (Mosiah 21:16) suggests they were gradually turning their hearts more to the Lord and putting more trust in him, but the Lord had one more objective. The widows and children needed to be delivered also. When these were provided for, the Lord would act (v. 17).