Guard the entrance

Building off the last post, there is more in Moroni's experience that teach us about how to defeat the adversary in our war.  Earlier chapters were about the armor we wear, and Alma 49 is about recognizing our weak points.

Moroni spends time between battles rebuilding and strengthening the Nephite cities.  But he didn't just rebuild them, he significantly strengthened them, with ridges and high walls, and in chapter 50, timbers and watchtowers.

I'm figuring this is like repentance.  When we lose battles, or suffer losses to the adversary, we can rebuild, and not only rebuild, but strengthen ourselves against future attacks.

Yet there will remain weak spots.  In Alma 49, the great weakness of the Nephite cities are at each's "place of entrance."  That makes sense for cities--Moroni's armies have to get in and out, after all, and so it can't be impassable like the rest of the city.  That makes it more susceptible to attack.

In the same way, we will always face temptation, and the adversary is smart enough to target our areas of weakness--or place of entrance.  We have weaknesses for a reason--so we will be humble and reliant on the Lord.  Our weaknesses can become strong, as the Nephite cities did.  But, where is your place of entrance?  Where are you most susceptible to the adversary?

We need to guard our places of entrance carefully.