Realizing the perilous straits into which their evil ways had beguiled them, and with a dread inspired by the Sword of Vengeance that hung over them, the Nephites, in fear and trembling because of their wickedness, began to sorrow and lament their fallen condition The words of the Prophet Samuel were in them literally fulfilled: "And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their heart upon riches; and became they have set their hearts upon riches, I will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto Me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord." (Samuel, Helaman 13:20) Mormon comments: "No man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land." (v. 10)