Alma renews his patriarchal relationship with Helaman (see the discussions in Alma 36 and 37) and confirms his son’s continuing allegiance to the Lord and His gospel plan.
The pattern for achieving and maintaining such liberty is aptly summarized by Helaman in his epistle to Moroni, leader of the Nephite armies, concerning the courageous stripling warriors: “But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come” (Alma 58:40). These precious words—part of the only extended direct quotation from Helaman contained in the Book of Mormon account—are written around 63 BC, amidst an ongoing political revolution in which ruthless conspirators are attempting to overthrow the free government of the land. As a military strategist of the first rank, Helaman plays a significant role in the campaign to save the country from subjugation at the hands of tyrants. On one occasion, for example, he leads his small army of young men as a decoy to draw the strongest army of the Lamanites out of the city of Antiparah. After a long flight, the small army turns and falls upon the enemy “as if with the strength of God” (Alma 56:56), and they become the decisive factor in helping the army of Antipus to secure an important victory.
When peace is at last restored in the land many years later, Helaman returns to his ministry “to preach unto the people the word of God; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become expedient that a regulation should be made again in the church. Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God. And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of God, throughout all the land” (Alma 62:44–46).
Bur for now we return to the present events: After Alma shares with his son, “according to the spirit of revelation” (verse 10), the distressing prophecy concerning the end of the Nephite nation, he commands Helaman to write the prophecy, but it is not to be revealed until after the time of its fulfillment. Alma then blesses his sons and the Church and departs from Zarahemla in the direction of Melek, but “he [is] never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of” (verse 18).