In verse 34, Mormon notes that the church members were beginning to persecute “their brethren” and that this was a “great evil.” But in verse 35, the persecuted “did wax stronger and stronger in their humility.” Obviously the persecutors and the humble are not the same group; rather, divisions are beginning in the church, some becoming prideful while others continued in faithfulness. As I read this passage, the proud desired social status through their wealth while the “humble” retained the Nephite egalitarian ideal, fortifying themselves against persecution by fasting and praying. Mormon is once again telling the sad story of an internal division of the church, with the proud persecuting their brethren on the basis of social and economic divisions, that recurring bane of the Nephites. This situation parallels that against which Alma2 contended by giving up the judgment seat to preach to his people. (See commentary accompanying Alma 4:6–9.)