69 And Helaman feared lest by so doing, they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant, were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances, at this time.
70 But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies;
71 Therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms; and they called themselves Nephites;
72 And they entered into a covenant, to fight for the liberty of the Nephites; yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives;
73 Yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.
74 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men who entered into this covenant, and took their weapons of war to defend their country.
75 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support, for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader.
76 And they were all young men, and they were exceeding 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;
77 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.
78 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea.
79 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, etc.
