Weaknesses and Strengths

War. War. War. The Lamanites seem intent upon it in order to conquer land they feel is rightfully theirs. Isn't it interesting what perspective and knowledge can give you as you read about the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites?

One central theme that seems to be reoccuring throughout the war chapters is that of preparation. When the Nephites were prepared for battle - both spiritually and temporally - they were able to win the battle. When they were not, they lost. One such example of this is in Alma chapter 48.


Nephite dissenters had gone over to join the Lamanite army. This meant that those dissenters knew about the Nephite army. They knew their strongholds in the land and their weaknesses as well. The Lamanites planned an attack based on this knowledge: "While Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God." Moroni strengthened his army spiritually BEFORE he strengthened them physically. Additionally, he was aware of their places of weakness and he strengthened and fortified those places.

There is much that we can learn from this. Ether 12:27 says, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness... for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Moroni was aware of his weaknesses. In humility, he desired to improve his weakness in order to save his people. For he was "a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people" (Alma 48:12). Moroni worked hard to serve and he always gave thanks unto God for the blessings he had been given, even in hard times.

We all have weaknesses. Satan is as much aware of our weaknesses as we are. In fact, he is probably MORE aware of them. He seeks on every hand to battle against us and attack our weak parts, knowing how to take us down. If we do not fortify ourselves and prepare ourselves accordingly, then we will not win the battle against him. We need to be aware of our weaknesses and ask Heavenly Father in faith to help us to improve them. Heavenly Father WILL guide us if he humbly ask him and if we truly desire to improve ourselves, always giving thanks for what we have been given.

Hopefully if we do so, we can be described like Moroni in Alma chapter 48 verse 17, which says,

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yeah, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."