“The source of what the Lord had said (vv. 46–47) was undoubtedly the plates of brass. … The ancients had been taught the law of war. … There are two parts of the law quoted by Mormon. … The lifting of the standard of peace is a condition presented to the aggressor. In Captain Moroni’s situation, the lifting of the standard is recorded in the forty-fourth chapter of Alma. … The second part of the law of war [is] the defending of your families even unto bloodshed. … The significant point of this part of the law is that you do not have to wait for three offenses to defend yourself, your family, or your personal rights (v. 47)” (Nyman, Record of Helaman, 25–26).