He Prepared His People

Alma 43

17 And Moroni took all the command, and the government of their wars. And he was only twenty and five years old when he was appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites.

Wow…it amazes me how much faith these people had in him. They were about to face a huge army all on their own. They had thousands upon thousands of lives depending on the outcome of this war- and they chose a 25 yr old man to be captain of all their armies. He must have been unlike any 25 yr old I've ever met. He must have been incredible.


19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing
20 Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites;
21 But they were not armed with breastplates, nor shields—therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites.

In verse 19 we see that Moroni has prepared his people for war. They are dressed with protection from their heads to their feet. They are not only ready for the offensive battle but they have taken defensive measures as well. The army of Zerahemnah has not- they have just come for the offensive battle relying on their numbers alone to save them. What I love about this is that the people of Nephi have prepared. They have listened to their leader and on a figurative level this situation applies to each of us. We are all fighting our spiritual war every day. We face insurmountable numbers of attackers. They attack our self esteem, our spirituality, our morals, our families, etc it is not enough to just have a quick come back or say something to attack them- we have to have our armor in place. We need to build up our reserves and fortify ourselves so when those piercing words strike us-they are not fatal.


23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.

Moroni doesn't just sit and wait for another attack, he is proactive!! not only does he send out spies but he inquires of Alma- the prophet at the time. And Alma inquires of the Lord. Again, something that applies to each of us....take your problems to the Lord. Read the words of the Living prophet and the apostles!! There is wisdom in their words and they can counsel for our day!