This verse fulfills the Nephite battle oath (Morm. 3:10). Because the Nephites have refused to repent and are therefore fighting without Yahweh’s protection, Mormon understands that the army will be engaging a futile offensive. At Yahweh’s command (v. 16), Mormon had removed himself as leader. As he had foreseen, the Nephite army was soundly defeated by its Lamanite/Gadianton enemies and, during the retreat, lost the city of Desolation. I have noted that the previous wars were less for territorial acquisition than the imposition of tribute. Often local leaders remained in power as vassal kings. (See commentary accompanying Alma 51:13.) Under the influence of the Gadiantons (whom I associate with the Teotihuacanos), the purpose of these wars shifted to territorial expansion. (See Helaman, Part 1: Context, Chapter 3, “The Gadianton Robbers in Mormon’s Theological History: Their Structural Role and Plausible Identification” and commentary accompanying Mormon 2:2–3.)