This peaceful interlude in an otherwise escalating course of contention reminds us that while Mormon crafts his narrative to teach us greater principles, he is still using real events as the source of that didactive material. Even when he describes this peace, however, Mormon sows the seeds that will disrupt that peace, and those seeds are the Gadianton robbers. Mormon’s mention of them here is intentional, as they will play a major role in the disruption of Nephite politics in the next few years. At this time, however, Mormon is describing peace so the Gadiantons are not active. Mormon makes sure that we are aware that they are still there, and by this mention in peacetime foreshadows their less than peaceful future among the Nephites.