Introduction

“Army of Helaman”

Fiesta Days Parade

July 24, 2013

This Army of Helaman March came about as a way to inspire youth, families, and our community to have faith and courage in choosing the right.  It is the intent that each participant has a spiritual experience which will strengthen their life as well as the lives of their families and our community.

This year, as we learn about Church History and the courageous events of our early brothers and sisters, we will be inspired, uplifted, and motivated by their lives of sacrifice and dedication.  These same virtues are found in the story of Helaman and his 2000 Stripling Warriors.  The historic announcement by Pres. Monson in the October 2012 General Conference has energized our youth to serve as the Army of Helaman in all the world.  We desire to re-enact in some small way what it would be like to participate with 2060 young Stripling Warriors.  Imagine how the spirit will touch the hearts of those in attendance as they see 2060 young boys and men march past. It will be an overwhelming sight and the spirit will burn deep in those who want to feel it. It will be incredible!

This is intended to be more than just a parade experience. As the host stake of the parade entry, the Spanish Fork Utah West Stake will invite each ward in our stake to make special efforts in using this event as a wonderful missionary and activation opportunity. We will encourage each of our wards to have all the active members of their quorums write their testimony of the Book of Mormon on the inside of the book. We will then invite them to take a book to each inactive and non-member young man of their same age group. We will encourage them to sit with those young men and relate to them the story of Helaman and his 2000 young warriors. It will be inspiring when these young boys teach each other from the Book of Mormon. This ties very well into the new youth curriculum and teaches them to teach as the Savior taught.  When they have finished telling and teaching this story, we will invite all young men to join with us as we bring to life this event in the Book of Mormon. We want to invite each inactive and non-member young man to join with us in the march and be part of this incredible opportunity.

We encourage every participating stake and ward to consider the same approach or any other approach that they feel will bless the members of their stake. We believe that this will inspire all young men who might be questioning their desire to serve a mission. We believe that there will be young men who are inactive who will then become active. We believe their families will be impacted and that there will be entire families who will return because of this opportunity. Given the efforts of a quorum, a young man could even decide to join the Church after participating in this experience.

This can be whatever the stake and wards decide they want it to be. We believe this experience could bring such a profound spirit to our parade that it could literally affect hundreds and even thousands of people for good. It could be the vehicle that brings the spirit of the Lord back into a home where it may have been lacking. We simply believe this will change lives!!

We would encourage each participating stake to hold a fireside a week or two prior to the parade and invite every participant and their families to come enjoy the spirit of this marvelous event as we make final spiritual preparations for the parade.

This is a huge undertaking. We will need the cooperation of so many but we feel the cause is worth the effort. Please join us as we bring Helaman and his 2000 Stripling Warriors to life!