They Were Strengthened

I read today in Alma 2. This is a story that I guess I don't know very well, although it has a similar theme to many other stories in Alma. The people of the Lord are forced to fight those that have followed Amlici. Verse 17 says that "many of the Nephites did fall before the Amlicites. NEVERTHELESS, the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites". This happens a lot in the scriptures, but it seemed particularly poignant to me today. In the lives of these faithful Nephites, The Horrible Thing happened. They had to fight. (And then they learned that their enemies had joined with the inumerable Lamanites too.) Some died. Horrible. BUT... in verses 18, 28 (twice), and 31 it teaches that "the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them". So, I think that is part of the goal - to be able to pray and receive STRENGTH in the midst of challenges. They cannot be prevented or avoided, but the Lord can and will strengthen us.