Unable to defend themselves in war because of a covenant with God, the sons of the Ammonites vow to defend their families.

“And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.” ~Alma 53:17