Alma's plea to Helaman was a gentle appeal as one might expect a loving father to make to a son of tender years. It reminds us of the first verse of the fifth Proverb: My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding. The word wisdom is used in both the Book of Mormon and the Bible to denote learning, and spiritual insight. So when Alma asks Helaman to hear my words and learn of me he desires to impart to Helaman the wisdom and understanding that has accumulated in his heart and head for, lo, the many years of his ministry and even before that. For by experience Alma knew that whosoever puts their trust in God, the same shall not be overcome by the adversary. "Thou wilt not forsake me, nor leave me in my grief" is an old Jewish proverb, much older than Alma. (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them. (Deut. 4:31) These passages, and many others, of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures were widely known to Alma. They were written upon the Brass Plates of Laban which had been in his possession for a considerable time, and the study of them was a great part of Nephite learning.
Other portions of the Hebrew Scriptures were known to Alma, and they undoubtedly influenced, giving shape and form to many of his conclusions, when in love and tenderness he bade Helaman "hear my words, and learn of me."
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that obtaineth understanding.
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.
The possession thereof is better than silver, and rather to be sought than fine gold.
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: the Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish.
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich; and no sorrow is added thereto.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thy heart.
So shalt thou find grace and good favor in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let thy heart take courage; yea, wait thou for the Lord.
Alma's instructions to Helaman included, we suppose, all these, and more too, but Alma's testimony of God's goodness and mercy to those who put their trust in Him revived in Helaman his youthful zeal. It imparted courage and strength to his tired frame, which we feel likely had become a little weary and worn with the toils he had undergone among the Zoramites when on a mission among them to advance his Master's cause.