The initial battles of this final war begin with numbers that sound like individual armies. While thirty thousand is a round number, it is still a number that could easily represent the assembled army of the Nephites. In fact, it might be supposed that this particular army is from the region of Zarahemla, and recruited from the dependent population on that particular city. This battle does not appear to have involved communities from farther downstream on the Sidon.
The Nephites are victorious in this first incursion, and the Lamanites retreat for four years. The cataloguing of major battle events recalls Mormon’s treatment of the years prior to the birth of the Savior. However, this account is much more parsimonious than the earlier accounts. There are multiple battles, but no indication of tactics or people for any of them. This contrasts with the concentration on the person of Moroni the earlier general as well as Helaman and his stripling warriors. Mormon’s purpose has shifted here to move more rapidly to the final denouement of the Nephites. It is also most likely that he does not find personalities to admire, and he clearly did Captain Moroni.