"A striking feature of Mormon’s description of Zion in 4 Nephi is the total lack of contention in the land, which he mentions no less than four times (see vv. 2,13,15,18). This surely must have been due to the complete unity of a civilization in which there were neither Nephites, Lamanites, nor any manner of –ites, but all were one in Christ (see v. 17) because the love of God dwelt in their hearts (see v. 15).
“Mormon was something of an expert on contention or civil strife, having read much about it in the records of Alma, Helaman, and Nephi, and having experienced it firsthand during his lifetime. The complete harmony and total unity of the people living in the society which had witnessed the Savior‘s visitation surely must have been a stunning development in Mormon’s panoramic view of Nephite history.” (Andrew Skinner, Ensign, Sept. 2000, p. 59)
Dallin H. Oaks
“In those brilliant generations that followed the appearance of the resurrected Christ in the New World, ’there were no contentions and disputations among [the people], and every man did deal justly one with another’ (4 Ne. 1:2). Fourth Nephi records: ‘Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God’ (4 Ne. 1:16). We should be striving to regain that condition. As modern revelation declares: ’Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness’ (D&C 82:14). One of the ways prescribed to achieve that increase is ’every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God’ (D&C 82:19).” (Conference Report, Nov. 1986 Ensign, “Brother’s Keeper”)