Readers who enjoy a good story ought to enjoy the account of Helaman and his 2,000 stripling young warriors. (Alma 53-58.) Many of the elements required for a good story are present:

- Suspense. The lives of the people of Ammon - formerly known as the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi - were in peril because they, upon having converted to the gospel, took an oath never to take up arms in battle. (Alma 24:15-19; 53:10-11.) Unarmed, they were easy prey to their enemies, the Lamanites.- Loyalty, friendship and brotherhood. Because of their defenseless position, the Ammonites were moved into the land of Zarahemla where the Nephites could protect them. However, when the Nephites' defenses were weakened and several cities were lost to the Lamanites, the people of Ammon were distressed to realize the danger and the hardship the Nephites bore in trying to protect them. The Ammonites "were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country." (Alma 53:13.)

- Courage and honor. An army of young men, inexperienced in warfare and not bound by the oath never to take up arms, volunteered to fight a battle, which, in other circumstances, would have been fought by their fathers. The 2,000 young volunteers were called "the sons of Ammon" and "the sons of Helaman." These warriors "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." (Alma 53:20.)

- Triumph of good over evil. The account of Helaman and his 2,000 young warriors is one of the great war stories of all time. And it is a story with a moral. In A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, Daniel H. Ludlow wrote: "Because of their great faith, valor, and courage, these young warriors were protected by the Lord through several battles, and not one lost his life. This story is frequently told to illustrate the importance of correct teaching in the home and the blessings that come from honoring parents. These young men told Helaman `they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.' Then they added: `We do not doubt our mothers knew it.' " (Alma 56:47-48.)

In a letter to Moroni, captain of the Nephite army, Helaman credited the success he and his warriors had in battle to the power of God and to the young men's faith. (Alma 57:26.)

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Obedience to God, not military strategy, led Helaman to success

Helaman, one of the great warriors portrayed in the Book of Mormon, is an example of a military leader who put his faith and trust in the Lord. One of the keys to his success was obedience to the Lord's commandments.

Helaman was the eldest son of Alma the younger. (Alma 31:7.) Before dying, Alma blessed Helaman because of his belief in Christ and for his obedience. Helaman "went forth among the people to declare the word unto them . . . and he and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in all the land. . . ." (Alma 45:20-22.)

For a few years, Helaman and others maintained order in the church. However, dissension arose, leading to a series of wars between the faithful Nephites and the apostates and, later, Lamanites. When the people of Ammon considered breaking their oath to take up arms to defend themselves against the Lamanites, Helaman feared the people of Ammon would "lose their souls" if they broke their covenant and went into battle. (Alma 53:14.) Taking charge of the sons of Ammon, who had not entered into a covenant to refrain from battle, Helaman emerged in the role of a military leader.

More important than military strategy, Helaman relied upon the Lord for success in battle. The importance of obedience was illustrated in the April 1981 general conference address delivered by Elder Ted E. Brewerton of the Seventy. He related that when President N. Eldon Tanner returned from presiding over the European missions he was asked what, in his opinion, was the most important attribute of a successful individual or missionary. After a short pause, pondering the implication of such a question, President Tanner spoke one word: "obedience."

Elder Brewerton surmised, "If we do not obey, the power to obey is lessened. Our capability to recognize good is weakened."

Elder Brewerton further said: "In Alma 57 we read about the 2,060 sons of Helaman who fought valiantly in many wars, administering death to all who opposed them and the Church. Yet not one lost his life because they knew `that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.' " (Alma 56:47.)

He quoted Alma 57:21: " `Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness.' "

Elder Brewerton said, "They were totally obedient. Hence, they had unbelievable protection and success."

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`Today's youth as sons of Helaman'

President Ezra Taft Benson likened the challenges faced by today's youth to the battles fought by the sons of Helaman. In an address during the priesthood session of the April 1986 general conference, President Benson said:

"Young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, you have been born at this time for a sacred and glorious purpose. It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fulness of times. Your birth at this particular time was foreordained in the eternities.

"You are to be the royal army of the Lord in the last days. You are `youth of the noble birthright.' (Hymns, No. 255.)

"In the spiritual battles you are waging, I see you as today's sons of Helaman. Remember well the Book of Mormon account of Helaman's two thousand stripling warriors and how the teachings of their mothers gave them strength and faith. These marvelous mothers taught them to put on the whole armor of God, to place their trust in the Lord, and to doubt not. By so doing, not one of these young men was lost. (Alma 54:10-23; 56:41-56.)

"My young brethren, I counsel each of you to draw close to your own mother. Respect her. Honor her. Receive your mother's counsel as she loves and instructs you in righteousness. And honor and obey your father as he stands at the head of the home, emulating his manly qualities."

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: April 1981 and 1986 general conference reports, and A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, by Daniel H. Ludlow.