Mormon gives us the last information we will need to fill in the relevant history by noting the succession of Pahoran to the judgment seat. We should note that this is a lineage position, even though they are under the rule of judges rather than kings. Nevertheless, the primary mechanism for Pahoran’s elevation to the chief judge’s seat was lineal, not democratic. As we have noted, the process of “the voice of the people” was not a democratic institution, but apparently a more supportive or confirmatory one.
Textual: This is the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition. Mormon has used this chapter as a transition. The previous chapter was devoted to righteous Nephites. This chapter is a precursor to those that follow. In this chapter there is a localized rebellion of a single city-state. What will come will be worse.