Helam was a notable figure in the early history of the Nephite believers during the reign of King Noah around 147 BC. He is recognized primarily for his early conversion and for being one of the first—if not the first—converts baptized by Alma the Elder after the latter had fled from King Noah’s court and established a covert congregation of the Lord’s followers. Helam’s baptism was a significant event as it signaled not only his own covenant with God but also marked the commencement of a religious movement that would shape the lives of a group of Nephites seeking to live righteously.
During the baptismal ceremony at the Waters of Mormon, Alma the Elder uttered profound words to Helam, underscoring the covenantal nature of the act of baptism and its eternal implications. The language used during this ordinance made explicit reference to the authority Alma held from God and the dedication expected from Helam to serve God unto death. The Spirit of the Lord was present at this baptism, as evidenced by both Alma and Helam being filled with joy and the Spirit after they arose from the water (Mosiah 18:12-14).
The dedication of Helam to the teachings of Alma and the covenant path is further implied by the subsequent naming of the land to which Alma and his followers fled to escape the persecution from King Noah’s forces. Named after Helam, this location became both a haven and a symbolic reminder of his faith and the community’s spiritual foundations. While no further personal details of Helam’s life are provided in the record, his early role in the establishment of the Church among the Nephites at that time and his place in the naming of a land of refuge are enshrined in the account of Alma’s ministry (Mosiah 23:19-20).