The land of Helam lay in the borders of the land of Nephi. Alma1 and his followers, warned that King Noah’s armies would come against them, gathered their flocks and grain and fled eight days’ journey into the wilderness, reaching a beautiful and pleasant land of pure water (Mosiah 23:1-4). They pitched their tents, tilled the ground, and built buildings; as they prospered they named the land Helam and built a city they also called Helam (Mosiah 23:5, 19-20). The land was likely named after Helam, one of the first Alma baptized at the waters of Mormon, where the people had covenanted to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places, even until death (Mosiah 18:9, 12-14).
While Alma’s people were tilling the land, a Lamanite army appeared in the borders. Alma told them not to fear, and at his word they delivered themselves up; the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam. The Lamanites had earlier joined with Amulon and the former priests of King Noah, and the Lamanite king made Amulon a ruler over Helam (Mosiah 23:25-39). Amulon persecuted Alma, set guards over the people, and ordered that anyone caught praying be put to death; Alma’s people poured out their hearts to the Lord instead. The Lord told them he knew of their covenant and eased their burdens so they could not feel them, then promised deliverance. Alma and his people gathered their flocks and grain by night, the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall on the Lamanite guards, and they departed into the wilderness (Mosiah 24:8-20). They camped in a valley they named Alma, gave thanks, and after twelve more days in the wilderness arrived in the land of Zarahemla (Mosiah 24:21-25).