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.

The people who wanted Pahoran to stay as Chief Judge called themselves freemen. This is how they were divided. The freemen had promised to protect their rights and their freedom to worship through a free government.

Those who wanted Pahoran to stay as Chief Judge called themselves “freemen.” This divided the nation. The freemen had sworn to defend their rights and religious freedom through free government.