Text: Although Orson Pratt split this chapter in two for the 1879 edition, it was literally Mormon’s last chapter and the end of his record. When that original chapter concludes (the end of our chapter 7), we have the text that Mormon intended to write to future generations. This final chapter records the destruction of his people and Mormon’s survival long enough to make that record. He provides no information, however, about how much time elapsed between that final battle and his final writing.
Although Mormon does not say so, apparently Yahweh promised that he would live through the final battle, otherwise Mormon would have concluded his book before going into battle. Since he did not, he must have known he would survive to write the ending. He also apparently understood that Moroni would survive to add the promised book of Ether. No one could have given him that confidence but Yahweh.