Some years after the exodus from the land of Nephi to Zarahemla, a “large number” of Nephites wanted to return and “possess the land of their inheritance”. A Nephite named Zeniff was a member of this expedition and was assigned to “spy out their forces”. While among the Lamanites, Zeniff saw “that which was good among them” and “contended with [his] brethren” to “make a treaty with [the Lamanites]” and not destroy them.