It is noted in Alma 43:24 that the Lamanites departed out of the land of Antionum "that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people." The defensive weakness of the people in the land of Manti is also made apparent by Mormon's comment that Moroni "caused that all the people in that quarter of the land should gather themselves together to battle against the Lamanites" (Alma 43:26).