Alma 51:1

And now it came to pass

in the commencement of the twenty and fifth year

of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi,

they having established peace

between the people of Lehi and the people of Morianton

concerning their lands,

and having commenced the twenty and fifth year in peace;

Alma 51:2

Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire peace in the land,

for there began to be a contention among the people

concerning the chief judge Pahoran;

for behold, there were a part of the people

who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered.

Alma 51:3

But behold, Pahoran would not alter nor suffer the law to be altered;

therefore, he did not hearken to those

who had sent in their voices with their petitions

concerning the altering of the law.

Alma 51:4

Therefore, those who were desirous that the law should be altered

were angry with him,

and desired that he should no longer be chief judge over the land;

therefore there arose a warm dispute concerning the matter,

but not unto bloodshed.

Alma 51:5

And it came to pass that those who were desirous

that Pahoran should be dethroned from the judgment-seat

were called king-men,

for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner

to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land.

Alma 51:6

And those who were desirous

that Pahoran should remain chief judge over the land

took upon them the name of freemen;

and thus was the division among them,

for the freemen had sworn or covenanted

to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government.

Alma 51:7

And it came to pass that this matter of their contention

was settled by the voice of the people.

And it came to pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen,

and Pahoran retained the judgment-seat,

which caused much rejoicing among the brethren of Pahoran

and also many of the people of liberty,

who also put the king-men to silence,

that they durst not oppose

but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom.

Alma 51:8

Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth,

and they sought to be kings;

and they were supported by those

who sought power and authority over the people.