Oaths are commitments made by individuals and groups concerning actions, peace, or protection. Nephi spoke to Zoram “even with an oath” that he would be a free man if he went into the wilderness, and Zoram “made an oath” to tarry with Nephi’s family (1 Nephi 4:32-35). After Zoram made this oath, Nephi and his brothers’ fears concerning him ceased (1 Nephi 4:37).
King Benjamin took the names of those who had entered a covenant with God, and appointed priests to remind the people of “the oath which they had made” (Mosiah 6:1-3). The people of Ammon covenanted with God that they would never again use weapons for shedding blood and would give up their own lives rather than shed their brethren’s blood (Alma 24:18).
Moroni required Zerahemnah’s people to depart with an oath that they would not return to war, and those who entered a covenant of peace were allowed to depart into the wilderness (Alma 44:6-20). Helaman persuaded the people of Ammon not to take up weapons because they were about to “break the oath which they had made” (Alma 53:11-14).