3 Nephi 7 – 8
Even in their wickedness, the people were united in their hatred of those who destroyed the government. They desired the stability and protections of the government, but they did not trust each other after their chief judge was murdered (again) which is why they settled into tribes. The tribes consisted of those whom they felt they could trust. The tribal laws varied according to the beliefs of each tribe, but the various groups valued peace enough to manage a measure of peace between the tribes. Their division was sufficient that they could not unite to stop Jacob and his tribe despite their common hatred for him. I love that even among this wickedness there could be a man such as Nephi who was so powerful in his testimony that they could not disbelieve him – even when they rejected him. In some ways it must have been very easy for him to stand apart as an example of righteousness because the wickedness around him was so universal and conspicuous.