Alma 43:3 through Alma 49:29 covers two Nephite wars, thus indicating the intense interest of Mormon (the compiler and abridger of the records until about a.d. 385) in the subject of warfare. Why? Because his own period was one of war; he was a military man and a prophet like Captain Moroni; and Alma prophesied of Mormon’s own day, as had Nephi (Alma 45:10–14; 1 Nephi 12:19). The Book of Mormon was written for our day, and we must learn how to live righteously and optimistically even in times of war.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf declared: “I have seen enough ups and downs throughout my life to know that winter will surely give way to the warmth and hope of a new spring. I am optimistic about the future.”60