Gentiles, Nephi says, are "lifted up in their pride." They are, as it were, not looking where they are going; they lack humility, and as a consequence, they are stumbling. They are building up "churches," and combinations, in which they are preaching human wisdom for gain, and even committing works of darkness (vv. 21, 22). But, says Nephi, the "Lord God," is not working in the dark (v. 23). The result of the multiplication of churches and secret societies is envy, strife, and malice. (v. 21) Never progress.