Ether 14 – 15
There was no central authority until Shiz gained enough strength to contend with Coriantumr – then all the people began to divide up to whichever camp they thought might win. They knew that if they did not choose a side they would be killed by whichever side discovered them. Shiz commanded his people to stop killing after he thought he had killed Coriantumr. When Coriantumr recovered he saw the imminent destruction of the people and wanted to give up the kingdom to save them. Unfortunately his example of refusing to repent when they might have followed him to become more righteous had caused the people to become so wicked that the Spirit has ceased to strive with them. Even if he had given himself up to Shiz the people would have fought until they were totally destroyed. Like the Nephites, the people spent years gathering all their strength for the battle that would lead to final destruction. I hope we never see such behavior again, but fear that we might see it right before the Lord returns to deliver his people in Israel.