A Return to Wickedness
After describing the glory and happiness during the “Zion” period of the Nephite society, Mormon quickly sketched how his people moved from that state of complete righteousness to a state of total wickedness. Covering so many years of history in only a few verses suggests that Mormon meant to indicate only the major steps or problems that led to this downfall. These problems included the following:- A group of Nephites revolted from the Church and called themselves Lamanites (see 4 Nephi 1:20).
- The people became proud of their exceeding prosperity and began wearing costly clothing and adornments (see v. 24).
- The law of consecration was abandoned (see v. 25).
- The people began to be divided into social classes (see v. 26).
- False churches were organized to get gain (see vv. 26–28).
- Followers of the true church were persecuted (see vv. 29–34).
- There was a great division among the people (see vv. 35–38).
- The children were taught to reject the truths of the gospel (see vv. 38–39).
- The wicked became more numerous than the righteous (see v. 40).
- Secret oaths and combinations were started again (see v. 42).
- The righteous people began to be proud and seek the things of the world (see vv. 43–45).
- Gadianton conspiracy overran the whole land (see v. 46).
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