Alma 45:21 - 45:24

Alma 45: 21 For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites and the many little dissensions and disturbances which had been among the people, it became expedient that the word of God should be declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made throughout the church.

Alma was now gone and it fell to Helaman to pay attention to the status of the Nephites. It was not good. The wars with the Lamanites and the contentions among the people had brought the Nephites to a low point spiritually. Knowing something had to be done, Helaman and his brethren went out among the Nephites to preach gospels principles throughout the church.

Alma 45: 22 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land, over all the churches.

The church had lost its footing and influence among the people, so Helaman went out to reestablish the church throughout the land again. As they did so, they appointed local church leaders to direct the affairs of the church.

Alma 45: 23 And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren;

However, there arose contentions among the Nephites to the point that few would give heed or listen to Helaman or his brethren.

Alma 45: 24 But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God.

The Nephites had become rich as to the things of this world and were lifted up in the pride of their hearts to the point that they measured their self-worth by the amount of riches they had. Since they figured that what they possessed, they had gained on their own, they did not need God. They then began to brag that what they had was because of their personal powers and therefore would not listen to Helaman who said that God gave them these things.