Alma 56
Alma 56
I've read this story many times. It's become familiar to me over the years, but today as I read it, I really tried to see the big picture; imagine it in my mind; consider timeline, relationships, living conditions, etc. It was really quite amazing.
The picture we see typically see of Helaman in the 2000 stripling warrior depict large, strong young men.
But I noticed in this chapter that every time Helaman mentioned them, he always called them 'little.' Stripling means a boy between the onset of puberty and maturation. That puts them probably closer to between 12 and 16. A little different than the picture above.
Some may have remembered when their fathers and mothers buried their swords (Alma 24) and covenented never to shed blood again. Some may not have even been born yet.
I think of the courage and faith their parents had to have had- especially their mothers. They didn't know if they would ever see their sons again. I've got a son turning 16 in two weeks. I am having a hard time knowing that he will leave in his mission in three years. I cannot image what it was like for these women to say goodbye to their sons. Their parting, I'm sure, was filled with advice (don't doubt God, and He will deliver you) and tears. Remember, their parents knew war- they used to be like those Lamanites they were sending their sons to fight. They knew their ways- their barbaric, violent ways. And yet, they had faith to support their sons in their desire to fight. Amazing.
These little boys were real people. They probably didn't look mush different (except more tan!) than the boys below.
Their first move as an army was to march Judea to aid Antipus. It was a blessing from the Lord that the Lamanites didn't fight out of fear. But, after months of preparation, the Nephites, including the little army, were ready to fight. But, the Lamanites wouldn't come.
The second move for Helamans little army was to be a decoy- a dangerous move. Can you imagine how nerve-wracking that must have been. "Hey, let's march this way, so the ferocious Lamanites will chase us down and try to kill us." Well, it worked- almost too well. For two and a half days the little army was pursued by the Lamanites. They thought they were going to be killed- yet they stuck to the plan and continued to lead the Lamanites out of their stronghold. Amazing courage and faith.
Finally the Lamanites stopped pursuing them. They had a choice- stay safe, or go back and find out why, even knowing it could have been a trap. It was here (verse 46-48) that Helaman speaks of their great courage and faith, and the teaching and faith of their mother's.
They turned around and found the Lamanites fighting Antipus's army- and winning. These brave little boys fought hard- battling for the first time in their lives.
Many died around them. It was the first time they had seen bloodshed firsthand.
After the battle, Helaman did a headcount of his little army (55) and found some wounded, but not one had died. They had "fought with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength..."
In verse 57, Helaman uses the term 'stripling' for the first time to describe his army. They fought like me with the strength of God, but still so young.
I also was moved by the faith and humility of Helaman. He was a great war hero/leader, and yet, he didn't demand to command the Nephite's strongest army. He chose to lead their smallest. He saw their faith and their potential. And he loved them so.
Faith. Sacrifice. Love. Courage. Beautiful.
I've read this story many times. It's become familiar to me over the years, but today as I read it, I really tried to see the big picture; imagine it in my mind; consider timeline, relationships, living conditions, etc. It was really quite amazing.
The picture we see typically see of Helaman in the 2000 stripling warrior depict large, strong young men.
But I noticed in this chapter that every time Helaman mentioned them, he always called them 'little.' Stripling means a boy between the onset of puberty and maturation. That puts them probably closer to between 12 and 16. A little different than the picture above.
Some may have remembered when their fathers and mothers buried their swords (Alma 24) and covenented never to shed blood again. Some may not have even been born yet.
I think of the courage and faith their parents had to have had- especially their mothers. They didn't know if they would ever see their sons again. I've got a son turning 16 in two weeks. I am having a hard time knowing that he will leave in his mission in three years. I cannot image what it was like for these women to say goodbye to their sons. Their parting, I'm sure, was filled with advice (don't doubt God, and He will deliver you) and tears. Remember, their parents knew war- they used to be like those Lamanites they were sending their sons to fight. They knew their ways- their barbaric, violent ways. And yet, they had faith to support their sons in their desire to fight. Amazing.
These little boys were real people. They probably didn't look mush different (except more tan!) than the boys below.
Their first move as an army was to march Judea to aid Antipus. It was a blessing from the Lord that the Lamanites didn't fight out of fear. But, after months of preparation, the Nephites, including the little army, were ready to fight. But, the Lamanites wouldn't come.
The second move for Helamans little army was to be a decoy- a dangerous move. Can you imagine how nerve-wracking that must have been. "Hey, let's march this way, so the ferocious Lamanites will chase us down and try to kill us." Well, it worked- almost too well. For two and a half days the little army was pursued by the Lamanites. They thought they were going to be killed- yet they stuck to the plan and continued to lead the Lamanites out of their stronghold. Amazing courage and faith.
Finally the Lamanites stopped pursuing them. They had a choice- stay safe, or go back and find out why, even knowing it could have been a trap. It was here (verse 46-48) that Helaman speaks of their great courage and faith, and the teaching and faith of their mother's.
They turned around and found the Lamanites fighting Antipus's army- and winning. These brave little boys fought hard- battling for the first time in their lives.
Many died around them. It was the first time they had seen bloodshed firsthand.
After the battle, Helaman did a headcount of his little army (55) and found some wounded, but not one had died. They had "fought with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength..."
In verse 57, Helaman uses the term 'stripling' for the first time to describe his army. They fought like me with the strength of God, but still so young.
I also was moved by the faith and humility of Helaman. He was a great war hero/leader, and yet, he didn't demand to command the Nephite's strongest army. He chose to lead their smallest. He saw their faith and their potential. And he loved them so.
Faith. Sacrifice. Love. Courage. Beautiful.
What a different world we would have if the youth of our time were taught this level of faith in God and that level of patriotism. If they believed in a bigger purpose than themselves. If they had the faith to follow the words of their mothers - the righteous words mother's should be teaching.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was so cute how he called them his "little sons". They sure were brave! Thankfully our youth today don't have to go out to battle like these little sons did, but they still battle the world's decaying values and satan's attacks. I watched the youth in our ward practice for a musical fireside a few weeks ago and was touched by the spirit as they sang about their testimonies. I knew that Father in Heaven was smiling down on them, just as he did on the "little sons."
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