Mormon summarizes the aftermath of Alma’s blessing/admonition to his sons with the utmost brevity. Tellingly, Corianton was obviously included with the other two “sons of Alma” who began preaching. We must conclude, therefore, that Corianton truly repented, followed his father’s admonitions, and embraced this new call to the ministry. Confirmation of this conclusion is that he joined Helaman and Shiblon in preaching God’s word (Alma 49:30).
Furthermore, Alma himself sets out on a journey—presumably another mission—because, Mormon explains, he “could not rest.” Mormon does not give the reason for this restlessness, but it suggests that Alma had foreknowledge that his end was approaching. If he was experiencing physical illness, then resting would have been particularly appropriate. Nevertheless, he begins another journey, alone.
We do not know when Alma was born. His father died at approximately age eighty-three, and Alma, his first-born son, could logically have been born in his father’s early twenties if not late teens. If Alma1 was twenty when Alma2 was born, then Alma2 is approximately seventy-seven at this point. Certainly a man of that age in the ancient world might well need “rest” from the rigors of traveling and preaching to the people.