“The Nephites protected them for many years, but eventually the Nephite army began to wear down, and reinforcements were gravely needed [see Alma 53:8–9; 56:10–17].
“The people of Ammon were at a critical moment of their spiritual lives. They had been true to their covenant never to take up arms. But they understood that fathers are responsible to provide protection to their families [see Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129]. That need seemed great enough to merit consideration of breaking their covenant [see Alma 53:10–13]” (Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement,” 82).