Pride Increases Among the People

Event 177

Reference: 4 Ne. 1:22-35

And it came to pass that two hundred years had passedaway; and the second generation had all passed away save itwere a few. 23 And now I, Mormon, would that ye shouldknow that the people had multiplied, insomuch that theywere spread upon all the face of the land, and that they hadbecome exceedingly rich, because of their prosperity inChrist.MormonLand northwardand landsouthwardA.D. 201 to 21024 And now, in this two hundred and first year there beganto be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such asthe wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls,and of the fine things of the world. 25 And from that timeforth they did have their goods and their substance no morecommon among them. 26 And they began to be divided intoclasses; and they began to build up churches untothemselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church ofChrist.27 And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten yearshad passed away there were many churches in the land; yea,there were many churches which professed to know theChrist, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel,insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness,and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whomit had been forbidden because of unworthiness. 28 And thischurch did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, andbecause of the power of Satan who did get hold upon theirhearts.A.D. 211 to 23029 And again, there was another church which denied theChrist; and they did persecute the true church of Christ,because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and theydid despise them because of the many miracles which werewrought among them. 30 Therefore they did exercise powerand authority over the disciples of Jesus who did tarry withthem, and they did cast them into prison; but by the powerof the word of God, which was in them, the prisons wererent in twain, and they went forth doing mighty miraclesamong them.31 Nevertheless, and notwithstanding all these miracles, thepeople did harden their hearts, and did seek to kill them,even as the Jews at Jerusalem sought to kill Jesus, according to his word. 32 And they did cast them intofurnaces of fire, and they came forth receiving no harm. 33And they also cast them into dens of wild beasts, and theydid play with the wild beasts even as a child with a lamb;and they did come forth from among them, receiving noharm.MormonLand northwardand landsouthwardA.D. 211 to 23034 Nevertheless, the people did harden their hearts, for theywere led by many priests and false prophets to build upmany churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. And theydid smite upon the people of Jesus; but the people of Jesusdid not smite again. And thus they did dwindle in unbeliefand wickedness, from year to year, even until two hundredand thirty years had passed away.35 And now it came to pass in this year, yea, in the twohundred and thirty and first year, there was a great divisionamong the people.A.D. 231 to 244