Purpose
To teach the children that following the examples and teachings of righteous parents gives us power to defend truth and right.
The 2,000 stripling warriors will be a great lesson to help the boys realize that their parents usually do know what they’re talking about.
Questions to Ask
Who were the Anti-Nephi-Lehies? Why did they bury their swords?
Alma 24:19 19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.
Review Article of Faith 13
Why is it important that we believe these things?
How does living these principles bless your life?
Heavenly Father gave us parents to love, teach, and guide us through our lives.
This lesson will help you learn how the 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.
What oath had the Anti-Nephi-Lehies made?
10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the apeople of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been bconvertedunto the Lord; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites.
11 And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they anever would shed blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished; yea, they would have suffered themselves to have fallen into the hands of their brethren, had it not been for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon and his brethren had had for them.
12 And for this cause they were brought down into the land of Zarahemla; and they ever had been aprotected by the Nephites.
Why were they tempted to break the oath they’d made?
13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many aafflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were bdesirous to take up arms in the defence of their country.
Why didn’t Helaman want them to break their oath and fight against the Lamanites?
14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to abreak the boath which they had made.
15 And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time.
Why is it so important to keep our covenants?
Why did the 2,000 sons decide to fight?
16 But behold, it came to pass they had many asons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites.
What did the sons covenant to fight for?
17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the alaying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their bliberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.
What were these boys like?
20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for acourage, 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.
21 Yea, they were men of truth and asoberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to bwalk uprightly before him.
How can we be like these boys?
How do your parents help you accomplish these things?
How did Helaman describe the boys to Moroni?
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen aso great bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
What influence did the boys’ moms have on how they were?
46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will anot suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the aliberty of their bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their amothers, saying: We bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.
How are your parents trying to prepare you to have the courage and faith to meet challenges?
Why were the boys spared?
26 And now, their apreservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous bpower of God, because of their exceeding cfaith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.
27 Now this was the afaith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are bfirm, and they do put their trust in God continually.
39 And those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti; and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even aonesoul has not been slain.
40 But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they astand fast in that bliberty wherewith God has made them free; and 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 concerning that which is to come.
I don’t think it’s coincidence that this was key to their success: they were “strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day”. I’m sure this was done via prayer, meditation, and by doing good deeds continually.
In fact, this is what it says:
10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.
How did the warriors follow Helaman?
21 Yea, and they did aobey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their bmothers had taught them.
What does “exactness” mean?
Why is it important to follow the counsel of your leaders and parents with exactness?
—————————————–
I’m grateful for this lesson as a reminder that I can overcome my weaknesses as I put my TRUST in GOD continually through prayer and scripture study!
I get to meet with the bishop today. I’m excited to talk with him and get on the right track. I look forward to going back to the Thursday meetings in Springville.
I want to be my best self. I want to feel the Spirit in my life. I want to be good to my wife and kids.
I know I can only do this with God’s help.
N
This IS a good lesson…Matter of fact it’s one of the lessons in the Primary 4/Book of Mormon lesson manual 😀
🙂 Thanks Chris. Yes, this is a class that I teach. I have added my own notes and have copied and pasted things I wanted to share. I appreciate the comment and will be posting more information like this in the future since this is still my calling 🙂