By 29 B.C., many Nephites "had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did not reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them." (Hel. 6:2.)

There still were some righteous Nephites who rejoiced in the conversion of the Lamanites, and the two groups "did fellowship one with another." (Hel. 6:3.) Many Lamanites went among the Nephites, preaching faith and repentance. The Nephites and Lamanites had peace in their lands.They became rich, having gold, silver, precious metals, fine-twined cloth, and abundance of grain, flocks and herds. (Hel. 6:9.)

By about 25 B.C., the people "began to grow exceedingly wicked again." (Hel. 6:16.) When the Lamanites discovered there were Gadianton robbers among them, "they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth." (Hel. 6:20.)

The Nephites did not appear as anxious to rid themselves of such evil; many united with Gadianton's bands. By 24 B.C., the Nephites and Lamanites had virtually switched places as far as which group could be called "righteous." The Nephites had become puffed up in their pride, and were filled with vain boasting, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, murders, and all manner of iniquities.

"They [the Nephites] cast out, stoned and slew the servants of God while they encouraged, exalted and rewarded false teachers who flattered them in their vileness," wrote George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl in Commentary on the Book of Mormon.

"They reveled in all the luxury that the fatness of the land brought forth. They were ostentatious in the use of gold and silver and precious things, but their hearts never turned in thankfulness to the Great Giver of all those bounties. The majority of the Lamanites, on the contrary, walked circumspectly before God; they were full of faith and integrity, were zealousin the work of converting theri fellows, and in keeping the commandments of God according to the Law of Moses."

In 6 B.C., Samuel the Lamanite went among the Nephites, prophesying they would be destroyed if they did not repent. Rejected, he was about to return to his own land when "the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart." (Hel. 13:3.) When the Nephites would not let him enter their city, Samuel climbed onto the wall, "and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people. . . ." (Hel. 13:4.)

"Many listened to his proclamation, some few were pricked in their hearts, and then repented of their evil deeds and sought the prophet Nephi that they might be baptized," wrote Reynolds and Sjodahl. "Others were angry; they gathered up the stones in the roadway and hurled them at Samuel, they drew their bows and shot arrows at him, but to no effect; the protecting power of God was around him and he could not he harmed. When some beheld how wonderfully he was preserved, it was a testimony to them that God was with him, and they also sought Nephi, confessing their sins.

"But the great body of the populace grew more enraged. . . . They called upon their captains to seize and bind him. . . . Following the wild, satanic cry of the multitude the officers of the law attempted to take hem, but he cast himself down and fled to his own country and his own people. And from that time forth the voice of Samuel was never heard again among the people of Nephi, but in later years, Jesus, Nephi, Mormon, and others quoted his prophecies or referred to his testimony."