“Mormon refused to be [the Nephites’] military leader in A.D. 362 (see Mormon 3:8–11). Therefore, if our assumption concerning the time is correct, he had not been leading the armies for thirteen or more years. He had undoubtedly been writing and abridging during this time. … That he ‘did repent of the oath’ (Mormon 5:1) means he reversed his decision, not that his previous decision was wrong or sinful. The people were just as wicked, and probably more wicked, but he came back knowing it was a lost cause (v. 2). However, his return apparently inspired the men to fight more fiercely for their cities, and they were successful (vv. 3–4)” (Nyman, I, Mormon, Make a Record, 82).