Mormon was the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Nephites, and as such was at the scene of battle with the Lamanites. His grief was most bitter, not because of the greater number of the enemy for with the Lord's help it did not matter whether few or many, but by reason of the wickedness that abounded everywhere among his people.
Mormon promised that unless he went to battle soon with the Lamanites, he would write further instructions to his son, however, he asked Moroni to continue in prayer "that repentance may come unto them." Mormon was almost despondent for he realized that many times the Lord had rescued his people, but just as many times had they, after showing a sorrow for their iniquity, returned not only to their pride and false ways, but to wickedness, every time more degrading, more debasing, and more depraving, than ever. Mormon saw that his people were abounding in evil, and in that part of the Commonwealth wherein the war raged, they were openly rebelling against "all the power and authority which cometh from God." Not only were they in rebellion against the authority of the government, but also against the authority vested in the Church of God, insomuch so that those who had long relied upon its guidance, now "are denying the Holy Ghost." "I fear," wrote Mormon, "lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them"; notwithstanding that they had been ministered to by angels from Heaven, and revelations from On High had been their almost constant guide, they, in spite of warnings by holy men rejected further guidance and refused any longer to be led by One Who was mightier than they. In their own might they sought to vanquish the manpower of the Lamanites which was far greater than their own. Although Mormon was their military leader, besides being their spiritual mentor, he saw only destruction awaiting them, for such were the words of the prophets, and even the Savior Himself if they did not repent. Unto the fulfilling of the prophecies, he knew that soon his people would perish.
A fond farewell, and with the added wish, which we may call a prayer, that they shall meet again, was Mormon's petition which we may judge was offered to God in humble supplication.