Samuel specifically speaks of the city of Zarahemla. As the seat of the Nephites, it symbolizes the whole Nephite nation. From its rulers come the cultural influences that shape Nephite life. When the political rulers turn away from Yahweh, the people also turn away. To the extent that they approve of the change, the voice of the people desires evil.
Samuel tells the people that the sword of destruction hangs over the city. In fact, Yahweh would have already destroyed it were it not for the righteous in it. The people of Zarahemla have been trained in the brass-plate scriptures, even though they are rejecting some of the teachings. This reference to a city saved by its righteous few would surely remind them of Sodom and its ultimate destruction because its righteous were so few (Gen. 18:20–32). Hence, Samuel tells them that they, too, will cast out the righteous until there will not be enough to protect them. In that day, Zarahemla will be destroyed as Sodom had been. Significantly, both Sodom and Zarahemla were destroyed in the same way—by purging fire (Gen. 19:24, 3 Ne. 8:8).
Translation: The image of the “sword of destruction hang[ing] over the city” is a modern allusion. (See commentary accompanying 3 Nephi 20:20.)