One of the facets of the final war with the Nephites is that it encompasses modes of warfare that the Nephites have not experienced. In all of the previous wars, there are no indications of the mass destruction of populations. There are conflicts with armies and warriors, but the involvement of the populace is seldom indicated. Such a condition is not unusual in ancient warfare. However, Mormon has noted that this war is different, and he emphasized some of the ways in which those differences are made manifest.
One of the most important is that the destructiveness is now being expanded to that element of the population that previously was not part of the battle. In particular, Mormon notes that women and children are being taken prisoners. That men should be taken prisoners is expected. The unusual part is the women and children. This appears to be part of the new style of warfare, and again we have no indication of any such style of warfare until the influence of the Gadiantons on the Lamanite armies. As has been noted, this parallels the historical influence of Teotihuacan on the Maya region.