abounded. The three remaining disciples were sorely persecuted, notwithstanding that they performed many mighty miracles.
Not only did the wicked persecute these three undying ones, but others of God's people suffered from their unhallowed anger and bitter hatred; but the faithful neither reviled at the reviler nor smote the smiter; they bore these things with patience and fortitude, remembering the pains of their Redeemer.
In the year A. C. 231, there was a great division among the people. The old party lines were again definitely marked. Again the old animosity assumed shape, and Nephite and Lamanite once more became implacable foes. Those who rejected and renounced the Gospel assumed the latter name, and with their eyes open, and a full knowledge of their inexcusable infamy, they taught their children the same base falsehoods that in ages past had caused the undying hatred that reigned in the hearts of the children of Laman and Lemuel towards the seed of their younger brothers. By A. C. 244, the more wicked portion of the people had become exceedingly strong, as well as far more numerous than the righteous. They deluded themselves by building all sorts of churches, with creeds to suit the increasing depravity of the masses.
When 260 years had passed away, the Gadianton bands, with all their secret signs and abominations (through the cunning of Satan) again appeared and increased until, in A. C. 300, they had spread all over the land. By this time, also, the Nephites, having gradually forsaken their first love, had so far sunk in the abyss of iniquity that they had grown as wicked, as proud, as corrupt, as vile, as the Lamanites. All were submerged in one overwhelming flood of infamy, “and there were none that were righteous, save it were the disciples of Jesus.”
