At the time when Alma included in his writing the incidence of him giving Helaman the blessing herein recorded (73 B.C.), it was the same then as it always had been, the Brass Plates of Laban, the Larger and the Smaller Plates of Nephi, and many other precious things which were dear to the hearts of the Nephites and which reposed in Alma's custody, the Sacred Record tells us their possession was continually sought after by Nephite apostates and the Lamanites both of whom considered such objects as plunder of war.
Also, Alma recorded of them that careless handling would impair their usefulness, and corruption mar the purpose for which they were made. Therefore, God, in His wisdom, caused that constant vigilance for their safety and well-being be exercised that none of the sacred things should become the prey of wicked men, nor their divine aim be thwarted by the heedless elements.
Because of constant watchful care, and by painstaking methods of concealment, the Lord, through His servants, preserved them from generation to generation, and now as He has in the past, entrusted them into the safe keeping of good and righteous men who in addition to keeping them free from theft and contamination, have kept a faithful record of Nephite history which included an account of God's dealings with them. Now, because the Lord has preserved them, they are available to all who then as now desire to know the mind and will of God. Their use, and service, and profit, are testified to by Alma, who records: For behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are upon these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
As in the past, they have proved their worth in bringing many souls to Christ, Alma, in the spirit of prophecy, declared these plates, together with the other sacred things in his keeping would bring many more of the Lamanites, and "also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?"