The story of Lehi's descendants as it is recorded by Nephi, the grandson of Helaman who in turn was the grandson of Alma, who organized the Church of God in the Land of Nephi, and who led the faithful from there down to Zarahemla, begins at the end of the Ninety-first year of the Reign of the Judges over the People of Nephi. Sometime in this year, he transferred the Plates of Brass and other records to his own son, Nephi, gave him charge concerning them, and departed from the Land of Zarahemla. Whither he went, or what became of him, is hidden from the knowledge of mankind. That he did not return to his usual place of abode, or to any of the known places of humanity is testified to by his son some ten years afterwards.
Lachoneus, the elder, was then Chief Judge and the Governor of the Land. His reign was long and troublesome. It was one of continued warfare with the Gadianton Robbers, who, year by year, grew in numbers and audacity.
Six hundred years had now passed since Lehi and his companions left Jerusalem. The time had arrived of which Samuel, the Lamanite, and other prophets had borne testimony as to when the phenomena should appear bearing witness of the birth of the Son of God: "Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews- even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world." (Helaman 14:2. About B.C. 6)