Alma tells us a little about the gift of prophecy. He sees some of the future clearly—for example, the increasing “hardening” of the Nephites’ heart. He is describing what he sees in religious terms; but socially, the trend toward greater conformity with the larger, pagan culture around them is accelerating. They are increasingly accepting “the world,” with its characteristics of hierarchy, materialism, and desire for a king. All of these characteristics are a rejection of the Nephite ideal of egalitarianism. As the final insult to a prophet’s sensibilities, the Nephites are increasingly adopting religious views that deny the Atoning Messiah.
Alma has a saddeningly clear prophetic vision of these trends. But what he does not see is whether his people will return to the true gospel. He “forebear[s]” telling Helaman all he knows, almost certainly because he does not wish to handicap his son with this sorrowful knowledge. But it seems certain that Alma foresees all too clearly that his son will soon become embroiled in the threatening war.