Moroni’s physical preparations of fortification (v. 8) were again one step ahead of the Lamanites. Moreover, it was for their spiritual well-being (v. 10), not a hidden agenda for personal power. “A man of perfect understanding” (v. 11) suggests Moroni lived by revelation and thus saw the whole picture. While he did not know all things, he recognized that God did, and so he sought to know that what he did was the will of the Lord. In contrast to Amalickiah, he did not delight in the shedding of blood (v. 11, cp. Alma 49:10), but was an advocate of freedom from bondage and slavery. Moroni recognized the “Lord’s hand in all things” (D&C 59:21), and, like King Benjamin, he knew that those who are “in the service of [their] fellow beings … are only in the service of [their] God” (Alma 48:12, Mosiah 2:17). Mormon’s faith in Christ is evident by his actions in defending his people (Alma 48:13).
The law of war had been taught to the Nephites (v. 14, see Alma 43:46–47), and they believed in the promise given to the land of the Americas that if they kept the commandments of God they would prosper (v. 15; see 2 Nephi 1:5–7; Ether 2:9–12). They also believed revelation was the guiding principle to face their threatened freedom (Alma 48:16).
Mormon’s tribute of wishing all men were “like unto Captain Moroni,” as he abridged the record (Alma 48:17), will be sustained as we continue to read the record. This tribute describes a soldier, a man of war who had become sanctified. It is not the position one holds, but what one does in that position. Sanctification comes to people “because of their yielding their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35). Moroni’s life, as recognized many years later by Mormon as he abridges, is one to be emulated by all.
The Lord provides a few men like Captain Moroni in every dispensation. Mormon names a few of them who had previously labored among the Nephites (Alma 48:18). In our own dispensation, we could cite the latter-day prophets from Joseph Smith to Gordon B. Hinckley, and other Church leaders. However, we must not forget the founding fathers of the United States of America and other political, military, academic leaders, and various others. The Lord does and will provide inspired leaders. Our challenge is to follow and sustain them.