"they were men who were true"

I'm tired of hearing bad news in the media about men who make poor choices (it's rather discouraging) so today I'm going to write about a fantastic example of men who made fantastic choices.

The Book of Mormon records an account of 2,000 sons of the people of Ammon who left their homes and families to defend their people in battle (time period = about 63 BC; location = somewhere in the ancient Americas in the land called Bountiful; commander = Helaman).   These men came to be known as "Helaman's stripling warriors," and they were men known for the strength God gave them for their faithfulness and diligence.

Del Parson's painting, "Farewell My Stripling Warrior," depicts one of the young men's mothers bidding him farewell. 

You can see more of his work here.

Mormon described them as follows:

"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" (Alma 53:20-21).

Though I sometimes worry about things like this, I know there are also men who are choosing to be "true at all times," to "walk uprightly," and to live with courage and strength.  I know it because I know men in my life--my dad, other male family members, my professors, friends, leaders in my church and other churches--who exemplify what it means to be righteous men, even in a world where values like integrity, fidelity, and hard work are too often forgotten.

Now that is something to be happy about!  So I'll wear a big smile today as I remember the fantastic men in my life.  Thanks for your strength!