Helaman was the oldest brother. His next younger brother, Shiblon, does not survive him by many years. Apparently, it was considered that the sacred records, and relics, were to be handed to Corianton, but Corianton was unavailable. Notably, he had gone northward, reinforcing Mormon’s increasing attention to that land.
The story now begins to move to Helaman, son of Helaman. He becomes the keeper of the sacred records when Shiblon realized that he was dying.