Culture: Moroni’s purpose in writing is to remind Pahoran of the government’s dereliction of duty. Pahoran’s responsibility was to organize an army, presumably find an officer to command the soldiers, and equip them with arms and provisions. This detail is a reminder that nothing like a Nephite standing army existed. Even though the recruits may have had some defensive and hunting weapons, the sword, cimeters, and other weapons had no other purpose except for warfare. It was the government’s responsibility to provide them.
In Mesoamerican warfare, offensive weapons required frequent repair or replacement. Obsidian blades would shatter with certain kinds of blows. When troops were relieved by replacements or had lulls in the fighting, they needed to repair their weapons. Thus, it was crucially important for Pahoran to arm the incoming recruits. Even with large numbers of casualties, there was no guarantee in the actual theaters of war that the Nephites had enough spare weapons to outfit new arrivals.