The two elements that fissioned Nephite society were the secret combinations and the division of political interests along kinship lines. Mormon specifically links kindreds to “those who murdered the prophets.” It is quite unlikely that there would be a kinship affiliation that fomented hatred of prophets, but it is very likely that the kindred would have accepted a politico-religious ideal that was in conflict with the prophets. The struggle for power ironically removed the overall power base, and the government was destroyed.