The awful demon of pride—manifest here in clothing and jewelry and indifference to the needs of others—proved to be the death knell to the Nephite Zion. Once a people begin to focus on themselves they are no longer in a position to focus on the needs of others.
The laws of consecration and stewardship can operate only among a pure people, among a people who seek the interest of their neighbors and do all things with an eye single to the glory of God (see D&C 82:19). In the absence of the proper motives, classes and cliques and castes soon arise.