Alma 63

Chapter Overview

What happens in Alma 63

This brief transition chapter marks the passing of an era. Moroni, Helaman, and the great war leaders have died or retired. The sacred records pass to a new generation, and the enigmatic Hagoth builds ships that carry thousands of Nephites northward, never to be heard from again. The book of Alma closes with the quiet end of one chapter and the promise of another.

Scripture

Shiblon as custodian of the records

Study note

Shiblon, Alma's faithful son, receives the sacred records and plates. He is described as a just man who walks uprightly before God, keeping the commandments continually. Captain Moroni dies in the thirty-sixth year. The great war leader whose name defined an era passes quietly from the scene.

1 And 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.

2 And 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.

3 And it came to pass that Moroni died also. And thus ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges.

Hagoth's ships and the migration northward

Study note

An 'exceedingly curious man' named Hagoth builds a large ship on the borders of Bountiful and launches it northward with many men, women, and children. A first ship returns and carries more people north. A second ship and its passengers are never heard from again, presumed lost at sea. Other groups travel northward by land. This brief passage has inspired extensive discussion about where these travelers may have gone and who their descendants might be.

4 And 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.

5 And 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.

6 And 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.

7 And 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.

8 And 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.

9 And 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.

The records pass to Helaman and the book closes

Study note

Shiblon confers the sacred records upon Helaman, the son of Helaman, before his death. Corianton, Alma's youngest son, has gone northward by ship. Some Nephite dissenters stir up the Lamanites, leading to a battle in which Moronihah (Moroni's son) defeats them. The account of Alma and his sons comes to an end, closing one of the longest and most detailed books in the Book of Mormon.

10 And 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.

11 Therefore 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.

12 Now 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.

13 Nevertheless, 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.

14 And 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.

15 And 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.

16 And thus ended the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

17 And thus ended the account of Alma, and Helaman his son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.

Key Themes

Themes in Alma 63

Faithful stewardship of sacred records across generationsThe quiet faithfulness of less prominent servants like ShiblonCuriosity and exploration as part of the human storyEvery ending is a beginning for the next generationThe ongoing cycle of peace, dissension, and renewal

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Alma 63:1-2 2 Timothy 2:2

The transfer of sacred records from Shiblon to Helaman mirrors Paul's charge to Timothy to entrust what he has received to 'faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also,' ensuring the continuity of truth across generations.

Alma 63:4-8 Acts 27:1-2

Hagoth's ocean voyages carrying believers to unknown destinations echo the maritime journeys of the early church, where the gospel spread through sea travel into uncharted territories, with all the uncertainties and risks that entailed.

Apply This Today

Living Alma 63

Not every faithful servant gets a dramatic story. Shiblon did not have Alma's conversion, Helaman's warriors, or Moroni's Title of Liberty. He simply walked uprightly before God and kept the records entrusted to him. In God's kingdom, quiet custodians of truth are as essential as battlefield heroes. Hagoth's ships, sailing into the unknown, remind us that some chapters of God's story unfold beyond our sight, and not every question has an answer in this life.

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