Historical: 320 years after the departure from Jerusalem places this destruction at 266 BC. From the time Amaron receives the plates to the time of this writing we have a span of 38 years. In that 38 years the political situation of the city of Nephi has certainly become worse, with an increase in the wars with the Lamanites. In 266 BC the City of Nephi falls under some type of even that will destroy "the more wicked part of the Nephites." What might have happened that resulted in destruction for many, but the salvation of some? The only evidence we have comes in the following verses.