Army of Helaman

WOW! 

 I don't think there were many dry eyes in the crowd (at least none of the moms).  The boys marched by us beating in unison with their sticks on the street.  I have to say though that my favorite part was when the boys stopped right in front of us, and after a long silent pause yelled out, "WE DID NOT DOUBT!"  Then paused again, and then continued marching.  It was truly amazing, and I am so glad that my kids had the opportunity to witness this.

I even had the priviledge to make Ryan's tunic.  Thanks Kathleen for asking me.

From the Deseret News 7/20/2012

BOUNTIFUL — Two thousand, two hundred "Stripling Warriors" marched down Main Street in Bountiful at the end of the city's annual Handcart Days parade.

The young men, dressed as figures from the Book of Mormon story "The Sons of Helaman," were from more than 18 Latter-day Saint stakes in the Bountiful area.

Their "float" consisted of 220 rows of young men with staff-like spears standing 10 abreast, stretching more than 1,200 feet down the street.

"I saw an opportunity for my kids to live the scriptures," Richard Kaufusi, stake president of the LDS Salt Lake Cannon Stake said. "I just sit back and think how did this guy Helaman make this work with 2,000 boys."

The mastermind of the group of young men, Cory Hanks, who was also the head of the group dressed as Helaman, said he came up with the idea about 15 years ago and thought how cool it would be to put such a group together, not because of the size but because of the meaning.

"It would unite a community, unite 2,000 boys and 2,000 moms and dads," he said, adding that the event had been months in the making. "They've been practicing in pods, by stakes and by wards."

In preparation for the parade, the community of LDS wards and stakes had at least two practices with the whole group, but individual stakes and wards have been practicing for more than three months. Volunteers cut more than 5,500 yards of fabric and more than 2,200 sticks for the young men.

"I'm amazed that they put together such a huge gathering of youth," Stephen McLaughlin, one of the 2,000 "Sons of Helaman," said.

Bountiful's 62nd annual Handcart Days Grand Parade this year had more than 85 entries, but the one-time-only "Sons of Helaman" entry was what drew the crowds.