16 And the army which is with me, is weak; and the armies of the Lamanites are betwixt Sherrizah and me; and as many as have fled to the army of Aaron, have fallen victims to their awful brutality.
17 O the depravity of my people! they are without order and without mercy.
18 Behold, I am but a man, and I have but the strength of a man, and I can not any longer enforce my commands; and they have become strong in their perversion;
19 And they are alike brutal, sparing none, neither old nor young; and they delight in everything save that which is good; and the sufferings of our women and our children upon all the face of this land, doth exceed everything; yea, tongue can not tell, neither can it be written.
20 And now my son, I dwell no longer upon this horrible scene.
21 Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowest that they are without principle, and past feeling; and their wickedness doth exceed that of the Lamanites.
22 Behold, my son, I can not recommend them unto God lest he should smite me.
23 But behold, my son, I recommend thee unto God, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved; and I pray unto God that he would spare thy life, to witness the return of his people unto him, or their utter destruction;
24 For I know that they must perish, except they repent and return unto him; and if they perish it will be like unto the Jaredites, because of the willfulness of their hearts, seeking for blood and revenge.
25 And if it so be that they perish, we know that many of our brethren have dissented over unto the Lamanites, and many more will also dissent over unto them;
26 Wherefore, write somewhat a few things, if thou art spared; and I should perish and not see thee; but I trust that I may see thee soon; for I have sacred records that I would deliver up unto thee.
