Mormon's policy was to gather as many of the civilian population as possible and push them ahead of the Nephite armies because the Lamanites massacred all who were left behind and completely devastated the cities and towns as fast as they were able to take possession of them. Mormon hoped to hold back the Lamanites at the Jordan line of defense but in 380 A.D. a bulging mass of Lamanites broke through the Jordan line and the Nephites who escaped fled in every direction trying to save themselves.