Joseph Fielding Smith illustrates the faith and courage his grandmother bestowed on his father through her example:
He was deprived of his father’s loving and needed care and protection when but six years of age, through the wicked, murderous hate of a fiendish mob, among which were found professed ministers of religion. Fortunately he was left in the care of a loving, capable, highly religious mother; whose soul was filled with a faith and fortitude which carried on in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties. By her he was taught strict obedience to the laws of God. Because of her faith, and integrity to the truth, he learned not only to rely on her counsels in his tender years, but the impressions she left upon his soul continued with him through all his years. He almost worshiped her. He saw in her constantly the spirit of inspiration made manifest in the conduct of her daily tasks. His confidence in her was not shaken, because her confidence and faith in the Lord were not shaken through all the trials and persecutions she was forced to go. The impression made upon his soul through the humble and unwavering fidelity of his mother to the cause of truth, became a sure and safe anchor to his soul through all the trials and vicissitudes of his eventful life. Well could he say: “Nothing beneath the Celestial Kingdom can surpass my deathless love for the sweet, noble soul who gave me birth—my own, own, mother. She was true! She was pure! She was indeed a Saint; a royal daughter of God! To her I owe my very existence as also my success in life, coupled with the favor and mercy of God.” (Life of Joseph F. Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1969], 3–4)
“We Do Not Doubt; Our Mothers Knew It”
Faith is the governing power in such circumstances. Righteous motives inspire one to greater heights. When coupled with faith, such motivation infuses our actions with power. “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36). The legacy of faith as taught by devoted parents—especially through the nurturing guidance of mothers—yields a harvest of valor and courage in the lives of grateful and obedient children of Zion.
At this time, two great loci of military action are established to protect the Nephite nation from the invaders: one of them under the control of Moroni and his troops, the other led by Helaman and his little army of two thousand (eventually 2,060) from the Ammonite colony. The strategic skill and indomitable courage of these generals and their compatriots eventually carries the day and re-establishes peace in the land, but not before an enormous price is paid in casualties and societal upheavals. Reflected across this canvas of clashing armies is the inextinguishable glow of glory associated with the sons of Helaman, who exercise great faith as they rise to the challenge of securing the liberty and rights of their people. Because they’ve been taught so well by their mothers, they love liberty and truth more than their own lives. Their faith, which had power to dispel doubt and fear, is so strong that they know the Lord will deliver them. Even though all of them, to a man, are to be wounded in battle, some severely, not a single youth succumbs to the blows of the enemy. All survive, just as their exemplary story of courage survives to this day, with no loss of luster in the hearts and minds of all receptive readers of the Book of Mormon.
We can carry the example of the sons of Helaman into our own lives. They do not fear death. They are concerned with the liberty of the people. They doubt not because they have been full of faith, just as their mothers have taught them. Let us do all we can to “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5) and the faith of others. Faith overpowers doubt and fear. That is why we do all we can to increase the faith within ourselves and others, for in faith all things can be done (see Ether 12).