Helaman praises the valor of his stripling warriors. They were no longer inexperienced in battle, but this situation confronted them with what seemed to be a losing situation. Still, they fought bravely and followed orders precisely.
Obviously Helaman had improved the waiting time by providing some training because they “did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness.” Military units must know how to fight coordinatedly, and Helaman had taught his young men what they needed to know to be effective. Part of their effectiveness was that they followed the commands. Fighting as a unit rather than as individuals increased their relative strength.