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Within a couple of years after the ministry of Jesus Christ, all of the former Nephites and Lamanites had been converted to the Lord. They had all things in common, and they stopped referring to themselves as “Nephites” and “Lamanites.” But 200 years later, their prosperity led to pride, which led to new divisions among them. They split into Nephites and Lamanites again, both groups turned away from God, and the Gadianton robbers became pervasive once again.
Chapter Outline
- The people live in peace and unity for 200 years (v. 1-18)
- The records pass from Nephi to Amos to another Amos (v. 19-23)
- Because of pride, the people divide into classes, then into Nephites and Lamanites, then the Gadianton robbers reemerge (v. 24-46)
- The records pass from Amos to Ammaron (v. 47-49)
My Takeaways
- We must each do our part to reduce the amount of contention in the world.
- We are happiest when we avoid dividing into groups and labeling ourselves.
- Our appearance has a significant impact on our behavior and on our ability to influence others.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Peace and unity – 4 Nephi 1:1-18
“No Contention”
Four times in the book of 4 Nephi, we read that there was no contention among the people the Savior had visited on the American continent following His death and resurrection. In AD 35 (2 years following His visit): “There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with…
“All Things Common” – 4 Nephi 1:4
The people who interacted with the resurrected Savior on the American continent lived together in unity for the rest of their lives. Their children and grandchildren followed their examples and enjoyed the blessings of a harmonious society. “There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.” This…
4 Nephi 1:15-17 Nor Any Manner of -Ites
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. 16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Millennium?
A millennium is a period of a thousand years. The Millennium is a thousand-year period of peace following the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The apostle John foresaw a time when Satan would be bound for a thousand years. Jesus Christ and His followers would govern the earth during that time (Revelation 20:1-7). Isaiah foresaw…
❖ Divisions return – 4 Nephi 24-46
They Had Become Exceedingly Rich – 4 Nephi 1:23-26
23 And now I, Mormon, would that ye should know that the people had multiplied, insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceedingly rich, because of their prosperity in Christ.24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them…
Costly Apparel – 4 Nephi 1:24-25
24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. 25 And from that time forth they did have their goods…
“Divided into Classes”
The people who interacted with Jesus “had all things common among them.” However, a few generations later, “they began to be divided into classes.” We each need to overcome attitudes and behaviors which create or perpetuate divisions among people.
Old Testament Foundations
Your Brother
Obadiah was unhappy with the Edomites. They stood by and watched as their neighbors in the kingdom of Judah were conquered and carried away captive. “On the day that you stood aloof,” he said, “on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were…
Abram and Lot: No Strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Proverbs 17:14 As Abram and his nephew Lot returned from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, there was a dispute among their people. Instead of letting the issue fester, Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I…
To Dwell Together in Unity
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.…
Marriage
After God created Adam and Eve, He instituted a special relationship, which He characterized in this way: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24 Jesus emphasized the sacred nature of this relationship when He rebuked the Pharisees for asking a flippant question about divorce: Have ye not…
“Partakers of the Heavenly Gift” – 4 Nephi 1:2-3
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.3 And they had all things common…
New Testament Parallels
“The Middle Wall of Partition”
The Atonement of Jesus Christ not only breaks down barriers between us and God, it also breaks down barriers between people. Paul said that Jesus “hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” He can help us become unified.
“Love Is the Fulfilling of the Law”
1. All of the commandments are built on a foundation of love. 2. The commandments help us learn to love better. 3. The commandment to love God and the commandment to love our neighbor are not in conflict. When we love God, we will also love His children.
A Great Division
Jesus wants us to have peace, but there were divisions among the people who saw and heard Him. Sometimes our words provoke division. Sometimes winning an argument is more important to us than the topic. We should heal divisions, not exacerbate them.
How to Love a Samaritan
We tend to develop rivalries with people similar to us. The Jews and the Samaritans, like the Nephites and the Lamanites, had much more in common than the things which divided them. Here are some ways to build bridges with our “Samaritans.”
In Their Stead
When Jesus was on the earth, He chose twelve apostles and commissioned them to help Him do His work. (See Matthew 10.) But following His resurrection and ascension, the apostles faced an administrative problem. One of their number, Judas Iscariot, had betrayed the Savior and had subsequently taken his own life. So they now numbered…
Church History Connections
Walk in the Ordinances
As Brigham Young led thousands of church members into an unknown frontier, he received a revelation teaching them how to organize themselves for the journey. Near the beginning of that revelation is a concise statement encapsulating the standards of behavior expected of this group of travelers: And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of…
They Had All Things in Common – 4 Nephi 1:2-3
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. 3 And they had all things…
All Posts Referencing 4 Nephi
- “God Meant It Unto Good” (3/16/2026)
- Building Unity (2/6/2026)
- Multiply and Replenish (12/18/2025)
- The Enmity of All Flesh Shall Cease (9/12/2025)
- Laying On of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost (12/4/2024)
- “Divided into Classes” (10/27/2024)
- No Contention, No Disputations (10/26/2024)
- Lists of Sins (10/25/2024)
- “All Flesh Shall See It Together” (10/24/2024)
- “They That Feared the Lord Spake Often” (10/19/2024)
- “Like the Dog to His Vomit” (9/22/2024)
- The Remnant Shall Return (3/5/2024)
- “The Middle Wall of Partition” (10/6/2023)
- “Love Is the Fulfilling of the Law” (8/19/2023)
- A Great Division (4/25/2023)
- How to Love a Samaritan (4/23/2023)
- How Did Jesus Fulfill the Law? (2/18/2023)
- He Will Teach Us of His Ways (11/27/2022)
- Your Brother (11/20/2022)
- The Fast That I Have Chosen (10/6/2022)
- Performances and Ordinances (4/2/2022)
- Abram and Lot: No Strife (2/10/2022)
- To Dwell Together in Unity (1/25/2022)
- The Healer (12/22/2021)
- Walk in the Ordinances (11/23/2021)
- Marriage (11/13/2021)
- In Their Stead (10/5/2021)
- “Hid up unto the Lord” – Mormon 1:2, 4:23, 5:12 (10/31/2020)
- “All Things Common” – 4 Nephi 1:4 (10/24/2020)
- “No Contention” (10/21/2020)
- “He Hath Lied Unto Us” – Alma 10:28, Alma 12:3 (6/12/2020)
- What Does It Mean to “Dwindle in Unbelief?” (1/26/2020)
- How Does the Savior Bring Us Peace? (12/25/2019)
- How Does the Gospel Bring Us Joy? (12/23/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Tithing? (11/19/2019)
- What Is Authority? (10/15/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Millennium? (10/13/2019)
- What Is Pride? (9/2/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple of Jesus Christ? (8/22/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Racism? (4/29/2019)
- What Should I Do About Economic Inequality? (4/5/2019)
- How Do I Know If I’m Worthy to Take the Sacrament? (3/24/2019)
- They Had All Things in Common – 4 Nephi 1:2-3 (5/22/2018)
- They Had Become Exceedingly Rich – 4 Nephi 1:23-26 (5/10/2017)
- There Was No Contention in All the Land – 4 Nephi 1:15-18 (5/9/2017)
- “Partakers of the Heavenly Gift” – 4 Nephi 1:2-3 (5/7/2017)
- According to the Multitude of the Promises – 4 Nephi 1:11 (11/18/2016)
- Vain Like Unto Their Brethren – 4 Nephi 1:42-44 (11/14/2015)
- Costly Apparel – 4 Nephi 1:24-25 (11/12/2015)
- Partakers of the Heavenly Gift – 4 Nephi 1:2-3 (11/10/2015)
- 4 Nephi 1:15-17 Nor Any Manner of -Ites (12/12/2014)