When Mormon has used the word contention (or at least when Joseph has translated the meaning of Mormon’s word as contention), it is not war, but an internal dissention. In the past, contentions have arisen over religion, and have led to schisms in the Nephite people. Now Mormon not only tells us that there are no contentions, but he contrasts that lack of contention with “there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.” This is an intentional contrast. The presence of miracles is the contrasting social attribute that opposes contention. Where previously there had been divisive contentions, now there was such unity that miracles could be performed. Once again, the information is given for the generic value, not as specific history.