"Guess what this summary is about:
"Their liberty, families, lives are at stake. Their numbers are few. There are forces surrounding their land and dissensions within. One group cannot take up arms. Young men take their place."
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It is the Book of Mormon story of a military leader named Helaman and 2,000 soldiers. The soldiers were the children of a former blood thirsty people who had converted to Christianity and literally buried their weapons of war. [There were many groups of peoples and cultures on the American continent and some of the groups are referred to by name in the scriptural passages found in the book of Alma chapter 24.]The people promised God they would not take up arms against others ever again. Another group of people asked them to come and live in their land and they would protect them. Helaman was one of these people.
When they found themselves in the situation Sister Breksa described above, their sons went to war, for they had not made that promise. The Lord promised them that they would all return. And while some were injured, all returned.
This is a very well liked and famous story to Mormons. Mormons treat Helaman and the young warriors as scriptural heroes.
Below is a depiction of the Army of Helaman (verses Alma 53:10-23) marching to fight.
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| by Arnold Friberg |
Below is a link to see a painting depicting Helaman addressing his soldiers after the great war. Helaman regarded his soldiers as his sons.
