Hugh Nibley
"Peace again brought prosperity (Alma 49:30), but Moroni was not idle. He launched out on an ambitious program of national fortifications, displaying his usual genius in the design and disposal of the strong places (Alma 50:1-6). First of all, it was necessary to remove a dangerous bulge or salient over on the east coast. The area was cleared of Lamanites and settled by local people and colonists from Zarahemla (Alma 50:7, 9). Thus Moroni was able to shorten and straighten his defense line (Alma 50:8), and having determined the best possible course for the line, he proceeded to fortify it along its entire length from the east wilderness (north of Jershon on the coast) to the west sea (Alma 50:9, 11), again employing not a single wall but a defense in depth, including even the founding of new fortified towns at strategically located places 'by the borders' (Alma 50:13-15). At the same time he effected a gradual buildup of military power within the country (Alma 50:10), though his principal concern was ever to keep the peace at home, knowing that it had 'been their quarrelings, and their contentions . . . and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions' (Alma 50:21).
"Accordingly, when as the result of a land-squabble a group of people under a loud and hot-tempered man named Morianton (another of those ambitious masters of 'flattering words') decided to move out of the country, Moroni fearing that he would add to his supporters among the people of Bountiful and thereby 'lay a foundation for serious consequences' (Bountiful being the most important Nephite military base), lost no time heading off the migration, sending his most mobile commander, Teancum, to stop them. Morianton was killed in the tussle that ensued, and all his people were 'brought back.' 'And upon their covenanting to keep the peace they were restored, . . . and a union took place between them and the people of Lehi' (Alma 50:25-36). Again Moroni's quick action had averted disaster but, more important, his humane policy, foregoing all reprisals and reparations, gave a happy ending to the episode with the original antagonists joined in friendship. Though the Nephites never lived in a time of greater danger, 'there never was a happier time . . . than in the days of Moroni ' according to the verdict of the younger Moroni at the very end of Nephite history (Alma 50:23). For their security was not in an absence of enemies but in the faith that they would be 'delivered at all times' if they kept 'the commandments of the Lord' (Alma 50:22)." (Since Cumorah, p. 311)