After stabilizing and garrisoning Zarahemla, Moroni, accompanied by Pahoran, immediately turns his attention to the next major military objective, Nephihah. The text gives us no information about the situation in Zarahemla that allowed Pahoran to accompany Moroni. We must assume that the political situation was sufficiently stabilized with adequate governmental control. Pahoran appears to be taking the more traditional military role of a Nephite leader as he becomes personally involved in the military campaign.
As we saw earlier, Nephihah is strategically important—a dangerous place as long as it is in Lamanite hands. (See commentary accompanying Alma 59:5–6.) To assure the defensibility of the lower Sidon Valley, Nephihah must be retaken.