Mosiah describes the classic problem of ambiguous power transfer in a monarchy. Tradition and social conditioning influence the community to accept the “rightful” heir. Everyone knows who that heir will be, thus reducing the probability of conflict in making the transfer. However, history provides ample evidence of troubled succession. The most common cause is the lack of a male heir, which it is also in this case—not because none exists but because no willing heir exists.
Contention arises when different factions support candidates who have possible, but not absolute, claims to the throne. In Zarahemla, four known peoples had their own version of a king-tradition: the Nephites, Zarahemlaite/Mulekites, Limhites, and Almaites. Any one of those groups would contain kin networks who knew that they had once been in a royal lineage and might wish to assert that lineage to rulership. Given the religious and kin contentions that we have already seen lying just beneath the surface of Zarahemlaite society, Mosiah’s fear of outright civil war over a contested succession seems quite legitimate.
Vocabulary: Verse 9 uses the phrase: “… he would recall the things which he had said.… ” Here “recall” does not mean “remember” but rather “call back” or “retract.” The problem will occur if Aaron retracts his renunciation of the throne.