Root Causes of Failure to Prosper

The commentary in these two verses provides a list of core failings that led to disaster. They are the very things King Benjamin warned against. The Nephite people failed because of:

• The pride of their hearts;
• Their exceeding riches;
• Their oppression of the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked;
• Their smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek;
• Their making a mock of that which was sacred;
• Their denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation;
• Their murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery;
• Their rising up in great contentions; and
• Their deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites.

Perhaps this sad condition spread so rapidly because these material successes arose dramatically in an unregulated decade of post-war boom. Perhaps people felt insecure due to lingering worries about Gadianton terrorism. Perhaps disgruntled political partisans saw opportunities to expand their positions at a time when the central government was young and inexperienced. Whatever the economic or political causes, their spiritual failures to act righteously and to keep the commandments of God exposed the church and the people to impending disasters.

Because they boasted in their own strength and did not rely upon the Lord, these people did not prosper. In fact, they lost possession of almost all their lands.