Alma 45: The End Of Alma (The Guy, Not The Book)

Alma had a prophesy to share with his son, Helaman. But first, he had to make sure that he trusted him. 

And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma came unto his son Helaman and said unto him: Believest thou the words which I spake unto thee concerning those records which have been kept? Alma 45:2 

And Helaman said unto him: Yea, I believe. 45:3 

And Alma said again: Believest thou in Jesus Christ, who shall come? 45:4 

And he said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou hast spoken. 45:5 

And Alma said unto him again: Will ye keep my commandments? 45:6 

And he said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my heart. 45:7

Once he was sure he could be trusted,  Alma told his son a pretty amazing prophesy. Four hundred years after Jesus was going to manifest himself to the people of Nephi, the people will dwindle in unbelief and either join the Lamanites or die.

But behold, I have somewhat  to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. 45:9 

And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. 45:10 

Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct—45:11 

Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come. 45:12 

And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephi. 45:13 

But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled. 45:14

Alma said that the Lord said that the land will be cursed, and every nation, kindred, tongue and people who do wicked things will be destroyed. And since everyone will either be a Lamanite (wicked) or dead, then God will pretty much curse and destroy everyone 400 years after Jesus came.

And he said: Thus saith the Lord God—Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. 45:16

Then Alma blessed everyone, and left as if he was going to the land of Melek. But he was never heard from again!

And now, when Alma had said these words he blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth. 45:17 

And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of. 45:18

After Alma was gone, it seems Helaman was kind of in charge. He appointed priests and teachers throughout the land, and established churches in every city.

And now it came to pass in the commencement of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Helaman went forth among the people to declare the word unto them. 45:20

Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land, over all the churches. 45:22

After setting up all the churches, though, Helaman couldn't maintain control over his priests and teachers! There was a "dissension" among them, and they wouldn't listen to Helaman's words. Sounds like trouble!

And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren; 45:23

I'm guessing that exciting times are ahead, because the rebels grew proud and rich.

But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God. 45:24