In Alma 23:18 it states that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies "did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow them." One might wonder just what is meant here by "open[ing] a correspondence." The reader will find that this exact phrasing is used in Alma 31:4 and Alma 43:4 in describing what began as a political alliance but evolved to where "the Zoramites became Lamanites." Thus we might presume that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies initially struck a political alliance with the Nephites and were now considered as Nephites at least by the Lord as He had lifted from them the Lamanite curse. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Alma 31:4; 43:4]
“They Were Friendly with the Nephites”
In Alma 23:18 it states that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies "began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow them." According to John Sorenson, there was probably a practical reason why the leaders in the peripheral areas (of the land of Nephi) opposed the missionaries and the converted king. His Anti-Nephi-Lehi people chose to "open a correspondence" with the Nephites of Zarahemla through the Nephite missionaries. An interpretation of the situation in terms of Mesoamerican patterns leads to the following hypothesis: if political, economic, and religious cooperation were to break out between the king's people and the Nephites in Zarahemla, the ambitions of the Amalekite and Amulonite leaders for power and wealth would be threatened. [John L. Sorenson, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, F.A.R.M.S., p. 226] [See the commentary on Alma 24:1]