4 Nephi 1:40

And it came to pass that

two hundred and forty and four years had passed away,

and thus were the affairs of the people.

And the more wicked part of the people did wax strong,

and became exceedingly more numerous than were the people of God.

4 Nephi 1:41

And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves,

and adorn them with all manner of precious things.

And thus did two hundred and fifty years pass away,

and also two hundred and sixty years.

4 Nephi 1:42

And it came to pass that

the wicked part of the people began again

to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton.

4 Nephi 1:43

And also the people who were called the people of Nephi began

to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches,

and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites.

4 Nephi 1:44

And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world.

4 Nephi 1:45

And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away,

both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked

one like unto another.

4 Nephi 1:46

And it came to pass that

the robbers of Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land;

and there were none that were righteous

save it were the disciples of Jesus.

And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance,

and did traffic in all manner of traffic.