Lessons from the Book of Mormon as taught by S.J. Hollist, in
“Lesson 27: Helaman and the Two Thousand Warriors,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 96Following the examples and teachings of righteous parents gives us power to defend truth and right. Heavenly Father gave us Parents and families to love, teach, and guide us through our lives. During this lesson will learn how two thousand young warriors, who were the sons of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, used the teachings and examples of their righteous parents to keep their covenant to defend their freedom.
Read
Alma 53:10–23,
56:1–58:27 and
Alma 24 (also see
Mosiah 13:20).
The parents of the two thousand young warriors had made a covenant to "kept from taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more" (
Alma 53:10–12). "when they saw the danger . . . [they] were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country" (
Alma 53:13). Helaman did not want the Anti-Nephi-Lehies to help fight the Lamanites because he "feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls" (
Alma 53:14–15). It is very important to keep our covenants that we make with God.
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies "had many sons, who had not entered into [this] covenant . . . [so] as many as were able [took] up arms" (
Alma 53:16). These sons "entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites" (
Alma 53:17).
"they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength . . . they were men of truth and soberness" (
Alma 53:20–21). What are some ways you can be true and walk uprightly before the Lord?
The fathers helped their sons without breaking their covenant not to fight by bringing them provisions (
Alma 56:27). What are some ways your family gives you support, or that you can help support them?
Helaman told Moroni "never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites" (
Alma 56:45). This was because their mothers had taught them "that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them" (
Alma 56:46–48). Because they believed their mothers they were not afraid of death. How are your parents trying to prepare you to have the courage and faith to meet challenges?
The two thousand young warriors were given strength and courage in battle threw the power of God, such that none were killed, because of "their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught [by their parents] to believe" (
Alma 57:26–27;
58:39–40).
These warriors followed Helaman and performed "every word of command with exactness" (
Alma 57:21). It is it important to follow the counsel of your leaders and parents with exactness, as they have the wisdom and spiritual guidance to help us.
When the two thousand young warriors needed strength they "did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen [them]" (
Alma 58:10). "God did visit [them] with assurances that he would deliver [them]" (
Alma 58:11).
The great faith and courage of these young men rewarded in that "even one soul [had] not been slain" (
Alma 56:56;
57:25;
58:39). They were saved from death because "they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies" (
Alma 57:26–27;
58:40).
Labels: Alma, Anti-Nephi-Lehies, Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni, covenants, Helaman, Lesson 27, Mosiah, Parents