Alma Ch53

AHHHHH STRIPLING WARRIORS!!! As you can tell I'm excited :) this has always been one of my favorite stories because of the hunky momma's boys that are so faithful and such a great example. Now-a-days you might identify our missionaries as our stripling warriors, but really it is any worthy priesthood holder who is faithful to his covenants. The story of how they came to be will be told along with the cause they were needed and the use of those Lamanites prisoners.
We actually start with the prisoners and how they were compelled to dig graves, ditches, fortifying cities, and making armor and do other labors under the direction of Lehi who is a man like Moroni, being beloved by the people (v1-4). The labors of the Lamanites fortified the city of Bountiful which is where the prisoners were kept by the Nephites being easy to guard as they worked (v5). The Nephites focused their efforts on defense now that the badest army of the Lamanites was mostly taken prisoner, but in the south of their land, there were some dissensions within the Nephites and the Lamanites gained some major victories over there (v6-9).
Okay so remember those Lamanites that had been completely converted by Ammon? They were the ones that swore to never fight again, so they were being protected by the Nephites (v10-12). Yet when they saw that the Nephites were suffering, they wanted to help defend the country from the enemies, but Helman persuaded them not to break the covenant they had made with the Lord because bad things would happen (v13-15). By this time, the people of Ammon had 2,000 sons who had not covenanted, that were old enough to enter a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites and protect them from bondage under Helaman's leadership (v16-19).
These sons were young, valiant for courage, strong, true, and been taught to keep the commandments of God to always walk uprightly before him (v20-21). Helaman accepted the call to lead these faithful young men to battle at the end of the 28th year (v22-23). Ah! I can't wait for more stories of these awesome guys! Seriously :)