In Chapter 21, while the two peoples were not technically at war, the Lamanites’ hatred and oppression of the Nephites grew to such a degree that the Nephites decided to go to battle against them. But after they suffered three military defeats, they gave up hope for using violence to escape their circumstances. Instead, they humbled themselves and began to pray for help. It was at this point that Ammon’s expedition showed up. Since they were white, the king assumed they were some of the fugitive priests at first. But once everyone was up to speed, they dedicated all their thoughts to how the Nephites in that area – a very “bad neighborhood,” so to speak – could free themselves.