Helaman giving his young soldiers a choice in their going to battle (v. 44) is unusual in most armies. The officer in command usually gives the orders and soldiers must follow or face court-martial. The relationship between Helaman and his young sons is well-defined. The father son relationship is also exemplary for all bloodline fathers and sons. Helaman credits his sons with courage. Their answer to him exemplifies their faith in God (vv. 45–46). Of course courage and faith go hand in hand. While their source of faith is rightfully recognized as coming from their mothers, they were certainly aware of the importance of liberty to their fathers (vv. 47–48). They were obviously raised in good homes. The hand that rocked their cradles as well as the teaching of their fathers had produced valiant sons. They, too, had been born of goodly parents (see 1 Nephi 1:1).