Moronihah [pronounced Mo-ro-nigh-ha] succeeds his father Moroni as commander of the Nephite armed forces, perhaps around 60 BC. Seldom has a military commander enjoyed training to match that given by Moroni—in whom were combined strategic mastery, unexcelled leadership, and an abiding love of God and liberty. The endowment of peace left behind by the retiring Moroni and his colleague Helaman is not long-lasting. Moronihah’s initial trial in the theater of major battle comes when the Lamanites under the Nephite dissenter Coriantumr succeed in overpowering the capital city of Zarahemla in the year 51 BC. Moronihah and his general, Lehi, are able to expel the Lamanites from the land, Coriantumr having been killed. Peace between the warring nations is restored for a time. Some years later, in 34 BC, Nephite dissenters and their Lamanite allies succeed once more in taking the land of Zarahemla and driving the forces of Moronihah toward Bountiful. Even after several years of battle, the Nephites are able to regain only half of their lands. The lesson of Moronihah is that all the military capability in the world is inadequate for the protection of liberty and the security of a sovereign land if the citizens fail to live up to the standards of righteousness established by the Creator.