“Divided into Classes”

K. Douglas Bassett

refer in this text to 3 Ne. 6:10-16

“When the principles of the Gospel were practised among the … [Nephites] they were equal to a very great extent; but when they began to violate the principles of the Gospel, their inequality manifested itself. Some were lifted up in pride, some looked with scorn upon their poor brethren and sisters. Classifications arose in society which had their origin not in virtue, not in holiness, not in purity, not in any superiority arising from intelligence, but because some were richer than others, some could dress better than others, some could have better surroundings than others, doubtless dwelt in finer houses, better furnished, and they were better clad, and had probably finer and nicer food. Distinctions of this kind grew up not out of the Gospel, but out of the violation of the principles of the Gospel. Wherever the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is taught, … it makes the man who may know and understand the things of God feel that he is no better than his fellow man, and the woman who understands the things of God feel that she is no better than her sister… . There is something in the human heart of that character that when human beings are prospering they are apt to be lifted up in pride and to forget the cause or the source of their prosperity; they are apt to forget God, who is the fountain of all their blessings, and to give glory to themselves… . God has sent us here and given unto us a mission on the earth not to accumulate riches, not to become worldly-minded, not to pile up the things of this world… . The happiness of a people does not consist in the abundance of worldly things… .” (George Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses 22:99-101)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References