Mormon is able to instill the just cause of war in his soldiers in spite of their wickedness (vv. 23–25; compare Alma 45:45). However, he recognized it was their own strength, not the strength of the Lord, which had enabled them to overcome such great numbers in their battle (Mormon 2:26). Even though they had again taken possession of their lands (v. 27), what terrible losses could have been avoided had they made God their partner.