The great losses sustained by the Amalekites in their repeated assaults upon the beleagured Nephites so weakened their attacking forces that it was useless for them to attempt any further depredations. In their efforts they had faltered, then disbanded; there was One more powerful than they. The prayers of the righteous Nephites had prevailed on Him who reigns On High. They were delivered! It is enlightening to remember that of the many Lamanites who were slain by the Nephites in defense of their homes most of them were Amalekites and Amulonites.
Now it happened that because of their losses, not only in men and their equipment, but in morale as well, the Amalekites no longer held the firm grasp that they previously had upon their underling hosts. They sought for revenge that they imagined would repay the ruin that had come upon them. But they saw that to obtain it from the Nephites was a hazardous undertaking in which they had already failed. In their disappointed pride which grew more bitter and malignant as their defeat became more apparent, they began to incite the remaining part of their disorganized army to murder their brethren, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies 1, whom they said were friendly to the Nephites. The Sacred Record says: "Therefore they began to destroy them."