According to E. L. Peay, the fact that the "engravings which were in the possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land" implies that Helaman's people were a literate people who could read and write, using symbols written upon some sort of affordable material. Surely Helaman would not send out metal plates like their permanent records were engraven on. It is interesting that the Maya used a paper-like material made from tree bark. The ancient Maya also had a complete written language. [E. L. Peay, The Lands of Zarahemla: Nephi's Land of Promise, p. 97]
Alma 63:11 It became expedient for Shiblon to confer those sacred things . . . upon the son of Helaman, who was called Helaman (Nephite Record Keepers) [[Illustration]]: Nephite Record Keepers. Adapted from [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 155]