This verse is Mormon’s introduction to the important story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies—important not only in its own right but for understanding the story of their children, the stripling warriors (Alma 53:10–22). Here, however, Mormon stops writing his condensed historical account and quotes an oration.
Chronology: The dating of this oath cannot be precise. However, the sequence is clear: (1) The Anti-Nephi-Lehies took the oath, (2) and were slaughtered (Alma 24:21–22). (3) Then the invading Lamanites sacked Ammonihah (Alma 25:2), which was destroyed in “the eleventh year of the reign of the judges” (Alma 16:1–3). Therefore, the oath and massacre occurred no later than the eleventh year (approximately 82 B.C.) and probably not long before.