These verses may be some of the saddest in the entire Book of Mormon. Mormon, the former general, nearing age sixty-five, decides to “repent of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them.” He does so without optimism, for he “was without hope” (v. 2). Thus, an aged man assumed a responsibility at which he knew he will fail. Surely he changed his mind because his personal integrity required that he put up the best struggle possible, but he had already accepted that the end is in sight.
The people were more enthusiastic, hoping that he “could deliver them from their afflictions.” After all, Mormon had once stopped the invaders; he might do so again. But the people’s hope stood in contrast to Mormon’s personal admission that the cause was hopeless.