Text: After Helaman’s death, Shiblon takes possession of the “sacred things,” consisting of the official records. Because Helaman was not a sitting judge, these “things” could not have included the sacred symbols of Nephite rulers, the Liahona and sword of Laban (Mosiah 1:15–16). Shiblon is Helaman’s brother, not his son. He had accompanied his father and other brother, Corianton, on the Zoramite mission (Alma 31:6–7). Even though this isn’t a father-to-son transfer, the plates remain in the lineage of the religious leader, not the political line. (See commentary accompanying Alma 52:3–4 for a brother’s succession.) This point becomes important in examining the close of the book of Alma and the opening of the book of Helaman.