Mormon’s text often uses the doubled term “wars and contentions.” They do not describe the same conditions. For Mormon, “wars” are waged against an external foe, while “contentions” are strife against an internal foe. Thus, the Nephites experienced war with the Lamanites, but contentions with the Amlicites. In fact, Alma 2:1 spells out that “there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain man, being called Amlici…”
Mormon consistently makes the distinction between wars and contentions; thus, “contentions” signals internal strife and divisions, not external problems with the Lamanites.
Redaction/Chronology: Mormon’s summary is simply that peace returns and that the Nephite “for a time” will not be troubled by enemies. He identifies the date as “the fifth year of the reign of the judges,” or 87 B.C. For Mormon, giving a date is typically a closing statement. Indeed, it is also the concluding statement of this chapter (v. 27).
This repetition of the year suggests that Mormon had intended to close his account with verse 25, then adds a moral lesson as an editorial afterthought (vv. 26-27) and reconcludes his account.