According to Daniel Peterson, as a general and as the abridger of covenant Nephite history, Mormon never failed to recognize that the Lord is the ultimate arbiter of human affairs. Mormon never ceased to stress that when the covenant Nephite nation began to boast in their own superiority, the Lord left them "in their own strength" (Helaman 4:13), and they did not prosper. "Except the Lord keep the city," wrote the Psalmist, "the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalm 127:1.) [Daniel C. Peterson, "Their Own Worst Enemies," in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 2, pp. 95-96]
Helaman 4:15 Inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper ([Illustration]): Chart: The Nephite Cycle. [John W. Welch and Morgan A. Ashton, "Charting the Book of Mormon," Packet 1, F.A.R.M.S.]