Wickedness became widespread throughout all the land. Pride and the love for the things of the world, crowded all thoughts of obedience to God's laws from the peoples' hearts, and all manner of iniquity took the place of goodness and purity. Many did whatever pleased their fancy, or gratified their whims; they forgot the peace that filled the hearts of their ancestors for over two hundred years immediately after the visit of the Risen Redeemer. Now all was changed. They no longer joyfully kept God's commandments; what once they loved, they now hated, and where once the teachings of the Savior was a light unto their feet, they now walked in darkness. Surely, sin lay at their door, their cup of iniquity was almost full, and was filling rapidly. Tumult, strife, and angry passions, murders and whoredoms, deceit and lying, marked these times as worthy only the designs of hell.
In such an unholy atmosphere the influence of which pervaded not only the religious and moral, but also the political lives of the people, the Spirit of the Lord could not dwell. In spite of the many marvelous miracles performed by God's servants, and His watchful care over them, His children quickly forgot their Father. Insomuch did the iniquity of the people increase day by day that "the work of miracles and of healing did cease," Mormon notes, among them. The gifts that are the rewards of righteous living also ceased, and the Holy Ghost "did not come upon any," to confirm them in their most holy faith, and to lead and guide them along the Paths of Holiness in which Paths their fathers had trod. The Three Disciples whom the Lord loved so well, and to whom He gave marvelous powers, failed longer to minister to the people, and all except the followers of Christ were left with no succor coming from Above to guide them. Mormon says that the Lord took away His beloved Disciples who for almost two hundred years had tarried among the Nephites and had ministered to their spiritual wants and needs.