We are given an example of Moroni using the prisoners of war to his advantage. As stated before, the prisons were easier to guard while they were doing labor (see 53:6).
The Lamanites again try to copy the Nephite successes but are not successful. The difference is summarized by Mormon’s observation that the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God (v. 31). They went to battle under the influence of the Spirit of God. As stated above, they learned also from the mistakes of the Lamanites and their partaking of the wine (vv. 31–32; see vv. 9–14). Moroni apparently was aware of the Lamanite movements in the city of Morianton through his spy system (vv. 33–34; see Alma 43:23).