[4] Moroni is appointed in response to a looming war with Lamanites and Zoramites, a force led by Zerahemnah and included many Nephite dissenters.
Moroni was so angry with Amalickiah's dissension and wicked influence that he tore his coat and wrote upon it, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.
Moroni wrote again, chastising Pahoran in the process for failing to respond, even threatening to "stir up insurrections" against what he perceived to be the nonresponsive government authorities.
After fortifying the Nephites' lands, Moroni transferred command of his armies to his son Moronihah and permanently retired to his own home.
The narrative of Captain Moroni plays a significant role in how members of the LDS Church understand and justify the political realities of war and violence.
[9] In this context, important aspects of Moroni's narrative include that he "did not delight in the shedding of blood," his warfare was strictly defensive, he sought the guidance of prophets before battle, and he did not seek for power.
"[12] Some Latter-day Saint authors, such as Nicholeen Peck, have drawn comparisons between the lives of Captain Moroni and General George Washington.
"[14] On October 28, 2020, United States Senator Mike Lee, a Latter-day Saint from Utah, compared President Donald Trump to Captain Moroni.
"[16] In a follow-up Facebook post, Lee pointed out that he had praised Trump for his willingness to "threaten the established political order" in spite of the "constant ridicule and scorn" to which this has subjected him and his family.
"[18] In 2016, Ammon Bundy, a son of Cliven, used much of the same language as his father, "mixing Mormon religious symbolism with a disgust of the federal government," during an occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
[20] On January 4, 2016, the LDS Church released a statement strongly condemning the armed seizure of the facility by the antigovernment activists in the standoff at the wildlife refuge, expressing deep concern the activists were suggesting their actions were justified on a scriptural basis, and affirming American civic life provides for peaceful resolution of conflict between government and private groups, according to the laws of the land.