Alma 44 - 50

The Lord has said -

"...Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:47)

We not only have the right but a God given obligation to defend our families. Not only when it comes bloodshed but in all things "even unto bloodshed". This obligation is in all matters, both temporal and spiritual. We are taught that the best way to do this is in great preparation, not as the matters arise.

Much of Moroni's focus was to protect his people in temporal things for as those who wished the their destruction and captivity - -

"...were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security." (Book of Mormon Alma 49:5)

Even though the wicked had come with greater armor and warfare -

"...being thus prepared they supposed that they should easily overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre them according to their pleasure.
8 But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known..." (Book of Mormon Alma 49:7 - 8)

Thus the wicked -

"...were exceedingly astonished at their manner of preparation for war." (Book of Mormon Alma 49:9)

For that -

"...which had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of Moroni, become strong..." (Book of Mormon Alma 49:14)

"...this was wisdom in Moroni..." (Book of Mormon Alma 49:15)

Even after having great success in the defense of families, rights and religion -

"...Moroni did not stop making preparations...to defend his people..." (Book of Mormon Alma 50:1)

While these temporal preparations were taking place, preparation is spiritual matters did not cease for the preaching of the word did not cease for -

"...there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people." (Book of Mormon Alma 49:30)

Though the conditions of our day may be somewhat different, the same principles apply as we defend our families form Satan and the wicked who wish our destruction.