Text: This verse makes little sense when it is conceptually divorced from the conclusion of our current chapter 6 that the secret combinations desired a king. Mormon records their desire but also notes that it did not happen. That statement foreshadows events of the next verse. However, it appears to be connected to the chief judge’s murder, even though these two statements are not really related. The chief judge’s murder was one of the maneuvers by this new secret combination to change the political order so that they could create a king.
Typologically, it is important for Mormon to record this murder, since political murders are what secret combinations do in his narrative. They have always sought power and have never hesitated to gain it by committing murders.
Chronology: The thirtieth year would be approximately A.D. 26.