We learn that in spite of the Lord's blessings to the Nephites, it was necessary to raise up many prophets among them. They were a stiffnecked people and hard to teach. The prophets found that about the only thing which would work on the hearts of these deteriorating Nephites was the shock treatment. Instead of feeding them spiritually upon the more beautiful aspects of the gospel, it was necessary to use exceeding harshness in preaching to them. There had to be constant reference to the prophecies of wars and destruction that would come upon them. They had to be continually reminded of death and the duration of eternity and the judgments of God that awaited them.
Instead of loving God, the Nephites of this era had to be kept in fear of the Lord and constantly reminded of his capacity to punish them for their wickedness. Enos said they had to lash their minds with vivid plainness of speech just to keep them from going down speedily to destruction. Enos says he saw many wars between the Nephites and Lamanites during his lifetime. And during this time the prophets faced opposition both within and without.