“Mormon masterfully abridged the scriptural record about Moroni, chief captain of the Nephite armies, demonstrating to his anticipated readers that this was a man most needed not only for his day, but also for our own…In accordance with Mormon’s hopes, Captain Moroni endures as a model of courage and righteousness to many Latter-day Saints. His powerful example is obscured only by ignorance and misunderstanding of the world in which he lived. Brigham Young taught that the scriptures can best be understood by reading them ’as though [we] stood in the place of the men who wrote them’ (Journal of Discourses 7:333). There is an immense historical and cultural distance separating Moroni from modern comprehension. This distance can be narrowed by striving to view Moroni within the context of his own world.” (Thomas R. Valetta, Book of Mormon Symposium Series, Alma, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 223)
Joe J. Christensen
"Additional character and personality traits of Captain Moroni that merit mention and emulation include the following:
"1. He had prepared himself throughout his early years so that at age twenty-five he was qualified and trusted enough to be appointed leader of all the armies of the Nephites (see Alma 43:17).
"2. He was compassionate and wise. He did not delight in bloodshed, as has been mentioned. At the earliest indications that his enemies were weakening or willing to stop the conflict, he would call a halt to the battle. He was magnanimous in forgiveness, but, as in the case of the confrontation with Zarahemnah, he was firm for the right (see Alma 44:1–20). Moroni was vitally concerned for the welfare of his people, and particularly for those who fought under his leadership. He worked diligently to assure that they were well armed, trained, and prepared for war (see Alma 43:18–21). He built up defenses of stone walls, forts, and banks of earth to help secure his people (see Alma 48:7–10; see also 49:6, 18–20; 50:1–4).
"3. He was spiritual and sensitive to ecclesiastical leadership. He sought, obtained, and followed the counsel of the prophet Alma (see Alma 43:23–26). He delighted in doing good, in preserving his people, and in keeping the commandments of God (see Alma 48:16).
"4. He was intelligent. He used a variety of tactics and strategies to defeat his enemies (for example, see Alma 43:27–35). Even some modern military leaders have indicated that Moroni’s military skills were obvious and ingenious.
"5. He was a leader who surrounded himself with good and able people. ’Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words’ (Alma 48:19).
"6. He demonstrated great leadership ability, including charisma, and was able to rally a people to the title of liberty (see Alma 46:13). In Moroni‘s day ’there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi’ (Alma 50:23). His leadership likely inspired the two thousand stripling warriors who were led into battle so successfully by Helaman (see Alma 53, 56–57).
"7. He knew the value of organization and labor. He knew that when he caused the Lamanite prisoners to work, it was easier to guard them (see Alma 53:5). A parallel might be that when we are busy, it is easier to guard ourselves against the influences of the adversary.
"8. He was family-oriented. The Nephite armies would not take prisoners of women and children. When the opportunity came to exchange prisoners with the Lamanites, Moroni would not exchange except on the condition that a Nephite man and his wife and children would be freed for each Lamanite prisoner exchanged (see Alma 54:11).
"9. He was a man of courage. He personally scaled the wall of a Lamanite city and directed his men to a victory through remarkable valor and strategy (see Alma 62:20–23)…
“This Moroni is a heroic ideal and model for our times. He is one whose life and characteristics should be understood by the older and taught to the younger so that they will never be able to say honestly that they do not have a hero worthy of emulation. He is one who taught us powerfully of those values-those priceless blessings-worth fighting and even dying for.” (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, p. 132-3)
Hugh Nibley
“By all means, let us take Captain Moroni for our model and never forget what he fought for-the poor, outcast and despised; and what he fought against-pride, power, wealth and ambition; or how he fought-as the generous, considerate and magnanimous foe, a leader in every sense.” (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, p. 130)