pgs. 366 and 367...thus ended the account of Alma, and Helaman his son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.

 41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their ^aafflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

  42 And it came to pass that after Moroni had fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong, he returned to the city of Zarahemla; and also Helaman returned to the place of his inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the people of Nephi.

  43 And Moroni yielded up the ^acommand of his armies into the hands of his son, whose name was ^bMoronihah; and he retired to his own house that he might spend the remainder of his days in peace.

  44 And Pahoran did return to his judgment-seat; and Helaman did take upon him again to preach unto the people the word of God; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become expedient that a ^aregulation should be made again in the church.

  45 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the ^aconvincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God.

  46 And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of God, throughout all the land.

  47 Yea, and regulations were made concerning the law. And their ^ajudges, and their chief judges were chosen.

  48 And the people of Nephi began to ^aprosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.

  49 But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they ^aslow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.

  50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had ^adelivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of ^bafflictions, and he had^cdelivered them out of the hands of their enemies.

  51 And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and ^aprosper in the land.

  52 And it came to pass that all these things were done. And ^aHelaman died, in the *thirty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

* verse 12 (61 B.C.); Verse 39 (60 B.C.); Verse 52 (57 B.C.).

THE BOOK OF ALMA
THE SON OF ALMA

CHAPTER 63

Shiblon and later Helaman take possession of the sacred records—Many Nephites travel to the land northward—Hagoth builds ships, which sail forth in the west sea—Moronihah defeats the Lamanites in battle. Between 56 and 53 B.C.

  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 ^aShiblon took possession of those ^bsacred 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 ^aMoroni died also. And thus ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges.

  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 ^anorthward.

  5 And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an ^aexceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land ^bBountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the ^cnarrow 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 ^aother 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 ^anorthward. And thus ended the thirty and eighth year.

  10 And it came to pass in the *thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, ^aShiblon 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 ^aShiblon to confer those sacred things, before his death, upon the son of ^bHelaman, who was called ^cHelaman, being called after the name of his father.

  12 Now behold, all those ^aengravings 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 ^bnot go forth.

  13 Nevertheless, these things were to be kept sacred, and ^ahanded 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 ^astirred 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 ^aMoronihah, 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 ^aAlma, and Helaman his son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.

This reading concludes the book of Alma which has basically coincided with the 1st year of the reign of the judges through the 39th year (Alma 63:10.)  Over this 39 year period so many events occurred and much was accomplished.  Finally in chapter 62 verse 42 peace is again brought to the land! Moroni and Helaman both die in this reading and it marks the end of an era.  Those two men were amazing in their faith and their commitment to the Lord.  They were able to commune with God and lift others through their faithfulness. 

I read a commentary about verses 48 through 51 of chapter 62.  It explained how these verses are Mormon teaching the way for individuals as well as nations to live in righteousness during times of prosperity.  I feel like this is important for us in the United States today because even though we are in a recession we are still relatively prosperous when compared with the human population over the history of the earth.