When the Lamanites learned of Moroni’s defensive armor, they quickly copied it. They appear to have learned of the trick of getting guards drunk, for they also attempted to copy it. They attempted both intoxicating drinks and poison, but the Nephites had learned the same lesson. Therefore, they would not drink except that they tested it on a Lamanite prisoner. It may be assumed that the Nephites learned that the Lamanites had attempted to use poison because some of the prisoners who tested the “gifts” were poisoned, and probably died. Such ruses can work, but rarely more than once.