Verses 34 and 35 provide an interesting contrast in Mormon’s vision of the church members at this point in time. In verse 34 he notes that the church members were beginning to persecute “their brethren,” and that this was a “great evil.” This is contrasted with the very positive statement in verse 35 that they “did wax stronger and stronger in their humility.”
Mormon is not speaking of the same people, but noting that there are divisions beginning inside the church structure. Among the members there were those who were beginning to become prideful, and there were those who were continuing to be faithful. Reading these verses closely tells us that we are seeing once again the rift between those who desire social status through their wealth and those who are the more “humble.” The key connection between the two verses is the notice that it is the “more humble part” who are persecuted, and that the ones do did “fast and pray oft, and did was stronger and stronger” increased “their humility.” Mormon is telling us the sad story once again that inside the church there are those who are persecuting their brethren on the basis of social and economic divisions, that recurring bane of the Nephites. The situation at this time is a direct parallel to the situation that Alma the Younger contended against when he gave up the judgment seat to preach to his people (see Alma 4:6-9). In both cases, the increasing prosperity of the people of the church began to be a source of pride, and a means of social/economic distinction which they used to create separation from those they did not consider their equals.