More and more, when I read the scriptures, I find myself identifying with the “bad” guys. King Noah (of the Book of Mormon, not the Noah of the Bible) was selfish and cruel and didn’t give enough thought to protecting his people. He thought more about what his people could do for him than how he could serve them as a wise leader. He failed to even adequately guard his land against their fierce enemy.

How often do I get caught up in what I want in the moment, and set a half-hearted guard against things that could harm me or my family, and because of that, cause everyone greater suffering and distress? Set a solid guard against evil or sin, and it will prevent fear, pain, greater sin, and heartache.

“17 And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to exercise their hatred upon them. 18 And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.”

Mosiah 11:17–18

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/11?verse=17-18&lang=eng#p17