The response to Moroni’s call is gratifyingly prompt. Although the term is “people,” it goes without saying that the responders are men, since they arrive “with their armor girded about their loins.” This detail communicates not only widespread awareness of the seriousness of the civil rift, but also an immediate and urgent crisis. The men are making a covenant that will evoke Yahweh’s blessing, but they realize that they will also be engaging in a fight.
Tearing clothing is a visual and physical symbol of the covenant they are making. They indicate that, if they should falter in their covenant, the “Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments.” (See information on simile curses in the commentary accompanying Mosiah 12:3 and Alma 44:14.) This gesture is a dramatic one in a culture that had to make its own clothing. It is highly unlikely that any of them had such large wardrobes that they wouldn’t miss the torn article of clothing. In fact, for many of them, it may have been their only garment. They therefore might have continued to wear it, partially out of necessity, but also partially as a reminder of their oath.
The most important element of the covenant is allegiance: “they would not forsake their Lord their God,” which they define as not “transgress[ing] the commandments of God.” They are returning to the original covenant which promises Yahweh’s protection in return for the people’s righteousness.