14 And they did ^ahumble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would^bdeliver them out of their afflictions.

 15 And now the Lord was ^aslow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their^bcries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.

 16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger.

     As I read these scriptures I couldn't help think that God being "slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities" wasn't a pride thing with the intention of "you didn't listen to me, so I am not going to listen to you".  No, He doesn't work like that.  I believe it was because He knew that is what these people needed to grow.  He didn't take their burdens from them, but He eased them.  He knew because of how slow they were to come to Him that they needed time to grow and become stronger.

Love,

     Becky joy