Clean the Inner Vessel

Moroni was one of the most strategic and clever war leaders in the Book of Mormon. He was constantly rebuilding and fortifying his soldiers and cities to be prepared from the attacks of the Lamanites and Zoramites. His soldiers were righteous and they fought for righteous reasons (life, liberty, and property). Despite the fact that the Nephites were in the midst of war, it says "there never was a happier time," which is a direct result of their righteousness (Alma 50:23). They keep the commandments, therefore they are blessed. This can be applied to any day and age; external influences do not have to determine your happiness. Rather, those things that are external trials and/or temptations, will serve to strengthen you so long as you remain strong internally. Moroni had such a great army because he began with the inner vessel. Once the inner vessel was clean and strong, then Moroni would focus on protecting his soldiers with shields and breastplates, and his cities with "strongholds", ditches, and towers (Alma 50:6).

 A few years later, we see that "there began to be a contention among the people," because many people wanted to alter the law in order to have a king, rather than a chief judge (Alma 51:2). These people would not take up arms to defend their country, therefore they were a weakness to Moroni's armies. Therefore, even though Moroni had all of his strongholds and protections, the Lamanites were able to attack and slay many of the Nephites, and this because the Nephites "were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni" as a direct result of their internal struggles with the kings-men. To apply this to my life, I need to be sure that my faith, testimony, and works are strong and facing Christ, before I can expect to bring others unto Christ whilst on my mission.