Again we return to verse 4. The taking of Mulek was not impossible, for the Lamanites had done it. They had not done so, however, without tremendous loss of life, and while all armies must be willing to accept some loss of life, Teancum could see that in this case it would be devastating. Rather than waste his army, and then open up a clear path for the Lamanites to attack, he decided to hold for Moroni’s arrival.