The Nephites are sufficiently righteous to have a righteous man as their chief judge/ governor and also elect a righteous supreme chief captain. Thus, Giddianhi’s sneer that Lachoneus would count on Yahweh to protect them was truly part of the people’s defense. As in the days of the great general Moroni, they are ready to defend themselves by force of arms, but they are also preparing themselves to be worthy to have Yahweh fight with and for them.