TWO THOUSAND STRIPLING SONS

I love the story of the stripling sons. I often think about these 2000 young men who would very willingly give there lives for the freedom of their families.In the book of Alma we read this"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, 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. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of GOD and to walk uprightly before him." I think this is a true lesson in parenting. Their Fathers had made an oath with God that they"never would shed blood more" (Alma 53:11). In Alma 53:13 we read "But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country". They were stopped by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren. In verse 16 we read this," But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies", so as many as were able got together called themselves Nephites and took up arms. I think that the parents of these young men must have had some fear, but they were willing to let their boys go to war for the liberty of the people. They must have some droughts when the boys would play war. The young men had to be taught how to fight sometime in their life. Maybe there was a school that taught them how fight. This is parenting at it's best, they let their young men choose for themselves the way of life they would go. The young men had been taught the truth and were willing to give their lives for the liberty of their brethren, because their Mothers had taught them well. I know it's hard to let our kids choose for themselves, but isn't that how our Father in heaven teaches us?