Nephite society goes from wickedness, to righteousness, and then back to wickedness. The sign of Christ’s birth causes them to believe for a time, but before long they forget and the Gadianton robbers gain power. The Nephites are forced to come together to protect themselves from the robbers, and eventually they defeat them, leading to several years of humility, righteousness and prosperity. But divisions drive them apart and break up the church, and corruption ends up destroying the government, leading to chaos. One important lesson from this is that we cannot rely upon signs and miracles for true faith, but must daily engage in the things of the Spirit.