[their fathers]: The fathers of the descendants of the Nephites, or the Nephites of Mormon’s day. Mormon’s pessimism in his own people is most evidence in this verse when he declares that “the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive” with his people. They have already gone so far into the mindset of the world that they have forgotten their God, and will not allow God back into their hearts. That condition will always lead to destruction, of the soul if not the body.