According to Brant Gardner, it is interesting that after Noah sent his army against the Lamanites, they return with "spoil" (Mosiah 11:18). From a defensive perspective, it is possible that the attacks on the Lamanites were initially justified. However these attacks apparently turned into an offensive campaign against hamlets rather than against those specific bands responsible for the thefts because the armies returned with "spoil." [Brant Gardner, "Book of Mormon Commentary," [http://www.highfiber.com/~nahualli/] LDStopics/Mosiah/Mosiah11.htm, p. 17]