The foundational promise has two forms. The one that is most commonly used in the Nephite record is a conditional promise that is associated with “land,” referencing protection from military defeats. This verse is an example of the second form, where the conditional promise is applied to personal righteousness. In the more common usage, if they are righteous they will prosper in the land. In the personalized use, if they are righteous they shall not be cut off. This personalized form occurs again in Alma 37:13.