Mormon had been long-suffering in his love for and leadership of his people. He had pleaded with them and pleaded for them before the Lord. Not only had they refused to repent, but now they had compounded their sins by swearing to “go up to battle” against the Lamanites, that is, to fight an offensive (as opposed to a defensive) war, as a matter of vengeance, on Lamanite territory—something the Nephites had always avoided as being forbidden by God (see 3 Nephi 3:20-21).
Mormon now recognized that all of his efforts had been to no avail. Three times he had preserved them in battle, yet they failed to recognize the workings of the divine in their behalf. Their wickedness, their boastings and blasphemies, their oaths of vengeance, their failure to acknowledge and depend on the strength of the Lord—given all these negatives. Mormon felt compelled to step down as their military leader and to leave them to their own strength. Thus he refused to again lead them into battle.
“Vengeance is Mine, and I Will Repay”
The scriptures contain many statements from the Lord concerning vengeance and recompense being his (see Deuteronomy 32:35, 41; Romans 12:19; Mormon 8:20; D&C 29:17).
Those enlivened by the Spirit of the Lord have no room in their hearts for hatred, bitterness, and the seeking of revenge against those who offend and harm them. When one understands and accepts the atonement of Jesus Christ there will be greater love, compassion, and forgiveness of others.
The Nephites demonstrated their spiritual depravity by delighting in killing their enemies (see Mormon 4:11) and in bloodshed that stemmed not from justifiable defense of themselves but from the spirit of revenge.
A vengeful, bitter, and unforgiving person who seeks to judge, condemn, and execute another cuts himself off from the blessings of inner peace and personal forgiveness and experiences a self-inflicted wound to the spirit that can canker and destroy the soul. It was also this bloodthirsty attitude of vengeance that caused Mormon to refuse to lead the Nephite armies.