Jacob notes that the Nephites engaged in defense, not in aggressive roles during these early skirmishes. While such an approach may have stemmed from religious motivations, it was also a successful alternative strategy for survival. As traders, they could expand their influence without expensive military conquests.
Variant: The 1830 typesetter entered this text as “against them with their armies, and with all their might.” While the original manuscript is missing some text right at this point, there is room for arms but not for armies. The 1981 edition restored the correct reading.