The war chapters in the Book of Mormon span several books and contain countless military campaigns, strategies, and battles. While these detailed accounts of troop movements and tactical maneuvers might seem overwhelming at first, eternal truths shine through the battlefield narratives, offering powerful lessons for our day.
One such lesson emerges from a seemingly simple detail about Captain Moroni’s military strategy. Alma 50:11 tells us that the Nephites were “fortifying the line which was between the Nephites and the Lamanites.” This wasn’t just a military tactic—it was a profound example of the principle of spiritual preparation that resonates powerfully in our lives today.
What strikes me most about this scripture is the timing. Moroni didn’t wait for an attack to strengthen his defenses. He didn’t scramble to build walls when enemy armies appeared on the horizon. Instead, he worked diligently during periods of relative peace to ensure his people would be protected when challenges arose.
Yet how many of us today find ourselves waiting until trials are upon us before we strengthen our spiritual defenses? It’s human nature to become comfortable during peaceful times, to let our spiritual guards down when life seems manageable. Moroni’s example, however, teaches us a better way.
Think about the fortifications in your own life. Just as Moroni built physical walls, towers, and places of security, we need to establish spiritual fortifications. These might include:
- Daily scripture study that builds our foundation of faith
- Regular, meaningful prayer that keeps our communication lines with heaven open
- Temple attendance that strengthens our eternal perspective
- Sabbath day observance that refreshes our spiritual reserves
These fortifications form our spiritual defense system, but Moroni’s greatest lesson lies in the principle of timing. He understood that the time to build defenses is before they’re needed. In our own lives, this might mean strengthening our testimonies before doubts arise, building family relationships before crises occur, and developing spiritual habits before we desperately need them.
President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly emphasized this principle of spiritual preparation in our day. In his April 2018 General Conference address, he warned:
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
Later, in October 2020, he declared:
“The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are—temporally, emotionally, and spiritually—the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults.”
Like Moroni’s fortifications, these spiritual defenses aren’t built in a day—they require consistent, dedicated effort. The prophetic urgency of this counsel underscores why we must fortify our spiritual lines today.
I’ve seen this principle work in my own life. During periods when I’ve been diligent in maintaining my spiritual fortifications—regular scripture study, meaningful prayer, and consistent temple attendance—I’ve found myself better prepared when challenges arise. The walls of faith I built during peaceful times have protected me during spiritual storms.
The beauty of Moroni’s example is that it reminds us that spiritual preparation isn’t just about surviving challenges—it’s about creating a position of strength from which we can thrive and grow. Just as the Nephites prospered behind their fortifications, we too can find peace and security behind our spiritual defenses.
Today, I invite you to assess your spiritual fortifications. Which walls need strengthening? Which defensive positions have been neglected? Like Moroni, we must act with urgency and purpose, fortifying our lines of defense before the enemy appears at our gates.
The time to fortify is now. The time to strengthen is today. As we follow both Moroni’s wise example and the urgent counsel of our modern prophets, we can create spiritual fortifications strong enough to withstand whatever challenges lie ahead.
Elder Linder 