Here begins a tragic story of the rebellion of children against their parents. The future history of Nephites and Lamanites, with its wars and contentions, bloodshed and destruction, is here seen, as it were in the embryo from which it was developed.
Note the character of the rebellious sons. Their stubbornness (they were "stiffnecked" V. 11); their love of money (they regretted the treasure that had been left behind, V. 11); their ignorance (they knew not the dealings of God, V. 12 and they rejected his word through the prophets, V. 13); and finally, their weakness in the presence of the manifestations of the Spirit of the Lord, (V. 14).