Helaman gives Moroni a historical perspective. These events began four years earlier than the date when this letter is being written. Helaman must write to Moroni about these things because Helaman and his young army have been occupied on the western/southern front, and Moroni has been engaged in the east and north. Thus, Helaman and his young army have performed their feats away from Moroni’s presence. While Moroni would surely have been informed of the results of battles, this is a letter about faith matters, not military matters.