According to the theory of Michael Hobby, the reason such care was taken by Mosiah2 during the transfer of power from kings to the judges was that the liberty of the Nephites--ultimately the church--was at risk if a Mulekite, a descendant of Judah, should ever consolidate the reigns of power. While the brass plates were early on a symbol of kingship power for the Nephites, they ultimately contained verses which might have been a key source for disputation regarding kingship. If the Mulekites studied the brass plates, they would soon discover that the right of rule was originally conferred upon the tribe of Judah (see Genesis 49:8-12). . . . Having this newly found right to kingship coupled with their Jaredite kingship heritage, some of the Mulekites would have sufficient ammunition to foster rebellion. With this background in mind, it is interesting that according to Alma 1:2, and despite the fact that judges were now in control and not kings, there was no mistaking in the Nephite mind that the chief judge reigned. [Michael M. Hobby, The Mulekite Connection, pp. 32-34] [See the commentary on Mosiah 29:39; Alma 4:16-17; Helaman 1:13]