Mormon continues to contrast the righteous Lamanites with the apostatizing Nephites, who exalt their Gadiantons to positions of rulership and importance. Once again the social program of the Gadiantons is to institute “spoils” along with the “secret murders and combinations.” As I have already pointed out, “spoils,” or material goods, are valuable only in their ostentatious display, so Mormon is describing the accumulation of goods that create social distinctions. (See commentary accompanying Helaman 6:8–9.)