Mormon declares that, even though he and Moroni are losing the spiritual battle for Nephite hearts, the two apostles must continue calling them to repentance. They are accountable for fulfilling their mission, even if the mission is not successful. This dynamic is, in fact, essential to their own identity. By asserting their agency in calling the Nephites back to another reality than the red rage in which they were then existing, Mormon and Moroni were asserting the existence of faith, hope, and even charity in a landscape from which all of these virtues seem to be missing. Exercising agency in the gospel context brings us blessings from our choices. Others may exercise their agency to deny the gospel, and likewise, they reap the “benefits” of that rejection. However, in God’s economy, their rejection of our message does not diminish the growth we receive from delivering the message.
Significantly, Mormon uses the inclusive term “let us.” He might be speaking generically; but given that this letter comes after Moroni’s call to the ministry, Mormon really is calling both himself and his son to a mutual effort. Both Mormon and Moroni are in ecclesiastical positions that require such an effort, and Mormon is emphasizing their mutual responsibility to preach repentance.