The most decisive military victories came when the chief captain requested divine direction through Alma. In a previous battle, Moroni's predecessor, Zoram, had been told where to go to recapture a large body of Nephite captives (Alma 16:5-8). However, this practice does not continue, in part because Alma is soon to depart out of the land of Zarahemla never to be heard of again (Alma 45:18).
"Not unlike the Nephite spies, modern prophets and the scriptures can give us advance warning of the plans of the evil one. If we follow the Lord's counsel through his prophet, as did Moroni, we too can know how, when, and where to best defend ourselves. The gospel gives us the 'battle strategy,' and the Church provides the necessary structure for setting up our defenses and defeating the enemy with minimum casualties." (Kathleen S. McConkie, Ensign, Jan. 1992, "Defending Against Evil")