These verses look both back and forward. Verses 15–16 reflect on the previous century, emphasizing its uniform righteousness. In the first hundred years, there was no contention (v. 13); and at the beginning of the second hundred years, there is no contention (v. 15). This double declaration seems repetitious as history, as they both appear to be applicable to the time period around the hundred-year mark. However, they apply to the time-block, not just the year to which they are attached.
Verse 16 emphasizes the people’s ethical goodness, paralleling verses 2–5. The specifics, however, are different, shifting the focus from the past to the future. Particularly telling are the phrases: “lyings, nor murders” / “robbers, nor murderers” (vv. 16–27). Mormon has previously used these terms to describe the Gadianton robbers (Hel. 7:5), and it is therefore significant that he reintroduces them in verse 42. In the “perfect” first two hundred years, there were no Nephites with these “Gadianton” traits. In contrast, they reappear in the final two centuries, culminating in the Nephites’ destruction.
A similar pivotal statement is: “neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.” The fundamental division has been between Nephite and Lamanite, following Jacob’s definition: “I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi, and those who are friendly to Nephi I shall call Nephites, or the people of Nephi” (Jacob 1:14).
The statement that there were no “manner of –ites” not only stresses the people’s unity during these “perfect” two hundred years, but it presages their degeneration and disunity in the second two hundred years.