Alma 63
People in this chapter
Alma 63 is a chapter of endings and handoffs. Helaman has died. His brother Shiblon takes possession of the sacred records, and Mormon gives him a short and lovely tribute: he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God (v. 2). Captain Moroni dies too. The generation that fought the long war is passing.
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Alma 63:1-3A Just Man
1And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Shiblon took possession of those sacred things which had been delivered unto Helaman by Alma. 2And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother.
After Helaman dies, his brother Shiblon takes care of the sacred records. Mormon says Shiblon was a just man who always tried to do good and keep God's commandments.
Mormon adds that Shiblon's brother also kept the commandments. He does not say which brother.
3And it came to pass that Moroni died also. And thus ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges.
Captain Moroni dies. The record mentions it in a single line.
Alma 63:4-9Hagoth, an Exceedingly Curious Man
4And it came to pass that in the thirty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, there was a large company of men, even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred men, with their wives and their children, departed out of the land of Zarahemla into the land which was northward.
In the thirty-seventh year a large company of Nephites, with their families, leaves Zarahemla for the land northward.
5And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an exceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land northward. 6And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions, and also many women and children; and they took their course northward. And thus ended the thirty and seventh year. 7And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built other ships. And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the land northward. 8And it came to pass that they were never heard of more. And we suppose that they were drowned in the depths of the sea. And it came to pass that one other ship also did sail forth; and whither she did go we know not. 9And it came to pass that in this year there were many people who went forth into the land northward. And thus ended the thirty and eighth year.
Hagoth, an exceedingly curious man, builds a very large ship. Many Nephites, including women and children, sail in it with plenty of provisions. Later he builds more ships.
Mormon says plainly what he does not know. Some who sailed were never heard of again, and he supposes they drowned. Of another ship he says, whither she did go we know not.
Alma 63:10-17Handed Down from One Generation to Another
10And it came to pass in the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, Shiblon died also, and Corianton had gone forth to the land northward in a ship, to carry forth provisions unto the people who had gone forth into that land.
11Therefore it became expedient for Shiblon to confer those sacred things, before his death, upon the son of Helaman, who was called Helaman, being called after the name of his father. 12Now behold, all those engravings which were in the possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should not go forth. 13Nevertheless, these things were to be kept sacred, and handed down from one generation to another; therefore, in this year, they had been conferred upon Helaman, before the death of Shiblon.
Before he dies, Shiblon gives the sacred records to Helaman's son, also named Helaman. Most of the writings had been shared with the people, except the parts Alma said to keep back.
14And it came to pass also in this year that there were some dissenters who had gone forth unto the Lamanites; and they were stirred up again to anger against the Nephites. 15And also in this same year they came down with a numerous army to war against the people of Moronihah, or against the army of Moronihah, in the which they were beaten and driven back again to their own lands, suffering great loss. 16And thus ended the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. 17And thus ended the account of Alma, and Helaman his son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.
Some Nephite dissenters stir up the Lamanites again, but Moronihah's army drives them back. Then the book of Alma ends.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- ShiblonReferences for Shiblon's life, from the Zoramite mission to his keeping of the records.
- HagothThe scripture references for Hagoth.
- CoriantonCorianton's story, from his mistakes on the Zoramite mission to his later service.
- PlatesThe different sets of plates kept by Book of Mormon prophets, including the sacred things passed on in this chapter.
Where this echoes in Scripture
A Just Man
- Alma 38:2-3I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence.Alma's words to Shiblon.
- Alma 39:1Have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence?
- Alma 48:17If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni…
- Acts 10:38Who went about doing good.Said of Jesus; Shiblon did observe to do good continually.
Hagoth, an Exceedingly Curious Man
- Alma 45:18He was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of.Another place where the record admits what it does not know.
- 1 Nephi 18:8We did put forth into the sea and were driven forth before the wind towards the promised land.
- Psalm 107:23-24They that go down to the sea in ships… These see the works of the Lord.
- Words of Mormon 1:7I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come.Mormon on the limits of his own knowledge.
Handed Down from One Generation to Another
- Alma 37:4They should be kept and handed down from one generation to another.
- Alma 37:8Brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
- 2 Nephi 25:26That our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
- Alma 42:31Ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people.Alma sends Corianton back to the work.
- 2 Timothy 1:5The unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.Faith handed down through a family.