One of the keys to Captain Moroni’s success was preparation.
Mormon introduces Moroni as a military leader who excels at preparing his troops for battle:
“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, … they were exceedingly afraid” (Alma 43:19, 21).
The following year, the Lamanites returned, this time equipped with armor, but “to their uttermost astonishment, [the Nephites] were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi” (Alma 49:8). They had converted their cities into fortresses. As a result, the Lamanite attack was again unsuccessful. (See Alma 49:4-5, 14, 25.)
After the Lamanites “fled into the wilderness” and “returned to the land of Nephi” (Alma 49:25), what did Moroni do next? Mormon tells us, “Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites” (Alma 50:1).
Commenting on these passages, President Russell M. Nelson said:
Even when things went well, Captain Moroni continued to prepare his people. He never stopped. He never became complacent.
The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! …
Please, keep going! Your vigilance in safeguarding your homes and instilling faith in the hearts of your loved ones will reap rewards for generations to come.
“Embrace the Future with Faith,” General Conference, October 2020, italics in original
Today, I will follow Moroni’s example of continuous preparation. Particularly in the areas that matter most, including my physical and spiritual health and my family’s safety and growth, I will take action today to prepare for challenges ahead.
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