The Spirit of the Lord was repelled by the abominations of the Nephites, and in its place the spirit of the devil prevailed, as evidenced by witchcrafts and sorceries. Due to the greed and avarice of the wicked Nephites and as a result of their total disregard for others, the land and treasures they hid in it became “slippery” (see Helaman 13:16-23).
The “slippery” earth did not necessarily swallow up treasures in some mystical or magical way, but rather such treasures disappeared through the thievery and dishonesty of the Gadiantons and others with similar motives (see Mormon 2:10). Not only could they not hold and retain their earthly treasures because they were being stolen by others, but also they could not retain them in an eternal sense. Hearts so set on the transitory things of the world will be broken with a stark realization that the only real and lasting treasures are the riches of eternity (see Matthew 6:20; D&C 11:7; D&C 19:38). All of this wickedness and the resultant curses and consequences were not only prophesied by Abinadi and Samuel but also were observed to some degree among their own peoples.