20 And from this time forth did the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites, but began to be swept off by them even as a dew before the sun.
21 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come down against the city Desolation; and there was an exceeding sore battle fought in the land Desolation, in the which they did beat the Nephites.
22 And they fled again from before them, and they came to the city Boaz; and there they did stand against the Lamanites with exceeding boldness, insomuch that the Lamanites did not beat them until they had come again the second time.
23 And when they had come the second time, the Nephites were driven and slaughtered with an exceeding great slaughter; their women and their children were again sacrificed unto idols.
24 And it came to pass that the Nephites did again flee from before them, taking all the inhabitants with them, both in towns and villages.
25 And now I, Mormon, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammoron had hid up unto the Lord.
26 And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the oath which I had made, that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies; for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions.
27 But behold, I was without hopes, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives, without calling upon that being who created them.
28 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come against us as we had fled to the city of Jordan; but behold, they were driven back that they did not take the city at that time.
29 And it came to pass that they came against us again, and we did maintain the city.
30 And there were also other cities which were maintained by the Nephites, which strongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the country which lay before us to destroy the inhabitants of our land.
