Alma 43:26

And he caused that all the people in that quarter of the land, should gather themselves together to battle, against the Lamanites, to defend their lands and their country, their rights and their liberties; therefore they were prepared against the time of the coming of the Lamanites.

He told all the people in that area of the land to gather together to fight against the Lamanites. They wanted to defend their lands, their country, their rights, and their freedom. So they were ready when the Lamanites came.

He rallied all the people in that region to gather for battle against the Lamanites—to defend their land, their country, their rights, their freedoms. So they were ready when the Lamanites arrived.