313 Two Thousand Young Warriors

Alma 53:1021; Alma 56:4456; Alma 58:39
And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him. Alma 53:2021

The people of Ammon, who were called the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, had covenanted with God never to kill, even in war. They lived in the land of Zarahemla, where Nephite armies protected them from the Lamanites. (See Alma 53:1012.)

However, as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies saw the danger and everything the Nephites suffered for them, they wanted to break their covenant and fight to defend themselves. But Helaman, the leader of the Church, persuaded them not to fight. He worried that they might lose their souls if they broke their covenants. (See Alma 53:1315.)

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies had many sons who had not made the covenant not to go to war. Two thousand of these young men gathered together and promised to defend the liberty of their people and the Nephites. They asked Helaman to be their leader. (See Alma 53:1619.)

Although they were young, these men were strong and brave. Most important, they were trustworthy and obeyed God's commandments; "they were men of truth" (Alma 53:21; see also Alma 53:20). Helaman called them his sons, and they called him father. When Helaman asked them if they were willing to go to battle, they answered, "Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth" (Alma 56:46; see also Alma 56:4445).

These brave young men did not fear death. They valued the freedom of their people more than their own lives. Their mothers had taught them that if they trusted in God, He would protect them. (See Alma 56:4748.)

Helaman led his young warriors in a terrible battle against the Lamanites. With the help of Helaman's army, the Nephites won the battle. Helaman feared that many of his sons had been killed, but to his great joy, he found that not one had been killed. The young men had fought with the strength of God, and He had protected them. (See Alma 56:49, Alma 56:5456; Alma 58:39.)

Summary

The people of Ammon, or the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, had made a covenant never to kill. They lived in the land of Zarahemla under Nephite protection. Seeing what the Nephites suffered to defend them from the Lamanites, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies thought they should help and were about to break their covenant. Helaman, the leader of the Church, convinced them not to do this. However, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies had many sons who had not made the covenant, and 2,000 of them decided to fight for the liberty of the Nephites. They asked Helaman to lead them in battle. They fought the Lamanites with great courage and faith, trusting in the Lord. With the help of Helaman's army, the Nephites won a terrible battle. To Helaman's great joy, not one of the young warriors was killed.

Artist, Arnold Friberg

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA