Arnold Friberg, the Scandinavian painter and illustrator, was privileged to create a collection of action images depicting various events in The Book of Mormon. They are printed in every copy of the book, and are well-recognized by its readers. One such image displays the 2000 stripling warriors marching off to war and being overseen by Helaman on horseback. Something about this image always seemed out of place to me, and one day in Priesthood meeting an instructor helped me put my finger on it. The warriers are too muscular and pumped up, with arms almost as round as their necks. Why do I say wrong? Helaman states they were all “very young men,” and even refers to them as “his sons.” They were also known for never having taken up swords to battle. So while perhaps strong due to labor and other activities, they were hardly a match for the wild and seasoned Lamanite army. No, they were probably more like a group of deacons or scouts with wiry arms and excited spirits. It would literally be like 2000 Davids, confronting well over 2000 Goliaths. But like many of the Lords paradoxes, He answered their prayers and those of their mothers. Helaman tells us these striplings “fell” upon the Lamanites with ferocity and power, to the point that the hardened Lamanites were “frightened” and immediately gave up in fear. So apparently Friberg was correct after all in his painting of the pumped-up striplings--at least in the eyes of the Lamanites!
Alma 56:56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.
LESSON LEARNED: The Lord will magnify and strengthen the faithful in order to fulfill His needs.
FEEDBACK: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?
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