Prior to the famine the Nephites had prospered and become wealthy and strong. The problem with their wealth is that it led to a desire to reject the egalitarian principles of their gospel and to adopt the social hierarchies of the world around them. When the rains came and the famine was abated, all of the factors that had led to that increase in wealth were still in place. Now that there was food, trade could continue and the people “began to prosper again in the land.” The famine had changed their focus from wealth to survival. When the survival was assured, all of the processes that had led to the previous prosperity were reestablished.