Alma 60:15

For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies, that they could have gained no power over us;

If bad things had not started with our leaders, we could have stood strong against our enemies. They would not have had power over us.

If it weren’t for the corruption that started at the top, we could have held off our enemies. They never would have gained power over us.