Culture: These Nephite elites would have been nobles, kinfolk of the king. Others would have been heads of important clans, both Nephite and Mulekite. While the Nephite faction had attained the kingship, the former king had been Mulekite and his clan would have retained considerable social influence. Apparently Mosiah was attempting to “equalize” such kin-based distinctions by requiring that all be treated as equal.
Another important stratification would have been religious. Those set apart to perform religious rites for the community have prestige, and it is a short step from prestige to privilege. Not only does Mosiah attempt to “equalize” the political-social structure, but he also attempts to “equalize” the social structure stemming from religious roots. However, economic stratification was obviously the strongest, which is why Mosiah so specifically commanded that these potentially privileged people must work with their own hands. Mosiah is reducing economic prestige by reducing access to prestigious items.