Helaman was a son of King Benjamin, a notable Nephite leader who placed great emphasis on the education and spiritual training of his children (Mosiah 1:2). King Benjamin imbued in Helaman the significance of the language of their forefathers and the scriptures that were maintained on the brass plates and the plates of Nephi. These teachings aimed to make Helaman a man of understanding and to equip him to carry forward the legacy of righteousness and leadership expected from the progeny of a prophet-king.
This early foundation in the language and prophecies prepared Helaman to appreciate the value of the records he would one day be entrusted with safeguarding. His father’s instructions were not merely academic; they included profound spiritual lessons. Helaman learned about the creation, the fall of Adam, and the plan of redemption that was central to the teachings etched onto the brass plates (Mosiah 1:3-7). Additionally, King Benjamin stressed to Helaman the power of the written word as a means to stir the soul to a steadfast faith in God, illustrating the essential role that scripture would play in his life and in the lives of his people.
These formative experiences were a precursor to Helaman’s significant future contributions to Nephite society and to the religious life of his people as a keeper of the sacred records and a spiritual leader. His upbringing under King Benjamin’s tutelage would have provided him with a firm foundation in leadership and a strong moral compass, traits that were vital in the turbulent times that characterized Nephite history.