On the western front, Ammoron has now captured Nephite cities that provide him with a secure base of operations—the same condition that he had left behind him in the east. Presumably, the people of Ammon had heard of the military situation in the west. The relative stability in the west that allowed Moroni’s army to assist in the east disintegrated and Ammoron’s possession of new Nephite cities indicates that Lamanite successes are now more prevalent than losses. The Ammonites clearly perceived the grave danger to the Nephite polity, and accurately predicted the results if Moroni’s army could not be reinforced. These people, who were unmotivated by the safety of their own lives to take up arms, now seriously considered their responsibility to do so in defense of their adopted brethren. They had sacrificed their lives for their oath, but for love of their Nephite protectors, they were willing to go even further and perhaps sacrifice their souls as well (v. 15).