The lesson of the eastern front showed the danger of an enemy established in defensible positions inside Nephite territory. That situation now existed on the western front. We do not know if the news of the dissensions had made it to the east, but while information might travel more slowly, it still traveled. We may assume that at least some stories of dissension reached the people of Ammon. This combination of dangers made it clear to them that the Nephite political hegemony was in grave danger. With Moroni’s troops being split, the need for more troops was apparent. These people who gave no consideration to raising arms in their own defense, not intend to do so in defense of their adopted brethren.