This painting is of 2000 young men preparing for battle accompanied by their faithful fathers. The fathers were once part of a group called the Lamanites. The Lamanites delighted in bloodshed and killed many of their brethren, a group called the Nephites. The Nephites fought to protect their families and their freedoms including the right to worship their God.

One of the Lamanite kings and his people learned of God and repented of their ways. This group of Lamanite warriors made an oath to never take up arms against their brethren again and buried all their weapons of war.

Many years later, seeing a great need to help the Nephites in battle they almost broke their oath, but their young sons stepped forward to take their place.

Lead by Captain Helaman, he said that those sons were resolved in their fight to protect their families, their lands, and their cause for liberty. These young men had great faith that their God would deliver them and despite never experiencing battle previously not one of them lost his life.

Additional

This painting is of 2000 young men preparing for battle accompanied by their faithful fathers. Their fathers have a unique history. They were once part of a group called the Lamanites. The Lamanites delighted in bloodshed and killed many of their brethren, a group called the Nephites.

The Nephites fought to protect their families and their freedoms including the right to worship their God. One of the Lamanite kings and his people learned of God and repented of their ways. This select group of Lamanite warriors made an oath to never take up arms against their brethren again and buried all their weapons of war. They joined the Nephites and lived peacefully for some time. Many years later, seeing a great need to help the Nephites in battle they almost broke their oath, but their young sons stepped forward to take their place.

This artwork shows Helaman, their Captain, standing above these 2,000 sons holding the Title of Liberty in his hand as he calls upon God in mighty prayer to preserve these young warriors as they prepare to go into battle against the Lamanites. Although they were not experienced in combat, they didn’t fear for their lives. These young men respected their fathers and the oath they had made to God to never fight and kill again. They wanted to spare their fathers and fight to protect their families, possessions, and liberties.

This painting honors those young men and their fathers for their faith and sacrifice. Though these fathers did not fight because of their covenant, it is likely that they would have rather gone to war themselves than send their sons. It was a great sacrifice and a trial of their faith. However, they were there to support and encourage their sons by providing them with supplies and counsel to prepare them as best they could.

These young men were faithful and obedient. They followed Helaman’s every command and had faith that God would protect their lives. Helaman loved these young men like his own sons. He was proud of them and worried for their safety. Not one of these young warriors died in battle.