Moroni’s call is headed by many. They come “with their armor girded about their loins.” This suggests that there is widespread understanding of the nature of the civil rift, and a recognition that this rift is about to erupt in violence. The people may come making a covenant to invoke the blessing of God, but they realize that they will be participating in the fight as well.
As the people come, they tear their clothing. This is a visual and physical sign of the covenant that they are making. They indicate that if they should falter in their covenant, the “Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments.” The physical tearing of the clothing is symbolic of the fate that they would accept if they were to fail in their covenant. Notice that one of the most important parts of the covenant is righteousness: “they would not forsake their Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God….” They are returning to the original covenant which promises protection in return for righteousness.