Alma prefaces his remarks to his son Helaman with the following:
I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land. I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions. (Alma 36:1-2)
In a covenant context, Alma’s reference to “the captivity of our fathers” and “bondage” could refer to a number of fathers and circumstances. Obviously, the captivity of the children of Israel in Egypt might be implied (see Alma 36:28), but so also might Alma be referring to his father Alma’s captivity in Helam (see Alma 36:29). Going even further back to father Lehi and Nephi, the first book of Nephi is a testament to their covenant deliverance not only from the captivity and bondage associated with the fall of Jerusalem, but their deliverance from Laban, desert travel, starvation, Laman & Lemuel, sea travel, etc. It is interesting that in the beginning of his narrative, Nephi notes that he made a covenant with the Lord in which the Lord promised him that “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise” (1 Nephi 2:20). This is the same promise that Alma gave to his son Helaman. It is also interesting to note that Alma specifically designates “the God of Abraham” and then “the God of Isaac” and then “the God of Jacob.” This tends to imply that each Patriarch went through his own covenant process of refinement with the Lord. Alma confirms this covenant process by noting at the end of his discourse to Helaman that, “ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word.” (Alma 36:30).
In other words, Alma’s words to his son Helaman should be read in a covenant context, and thus Helaman’s life hereafter should be viewed in a covenant context. With this in mind it is interesting to note that in a future part of the text, Alma’s son Helaman will become the “father” of 2000 stripling warriors, the “seed” of those who remained faithful to their covenants at the threat of death. Through the power of the Lord, Helaman and his “sons” will deliver the Nephite nation from the “afflictions” and “bondage” (see Alma 53:8-22; Alma 56-58), preserving the way that the Nephite nation might “prosper in the land.”. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
Alma 36:6 God sent his holy angel to stop us by the way ([Illustration] Angel Appears to Alma and the Sons of Mosiah. “God sent his holy angel to stop us by the way.” Artist: Clark Kelley Price. [Thomas R. Valletta ed., The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, 1999, p. 372]