Shiblon
Encyclopedia
According to the Book of Mormon
, Shiblon was a Nephite
missionary and record-keeper. He was the second son of Alma the Younger
, who was the first chief judge. In the 17th year of the reign of the judges, or 74 BC
, Shiblon went with his younger brother Corianton and his father Alma, along with 5 others, on a mission to teach the word of God to the apostate Zoramites
in the land of Antionum
, while his older brother Helaman
stayed behind. The other members of the group consisted of Amulek
, Zeezrom
, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni
. The group witnessed the peculiar way that the Zoramites worshiped in their synagogues, including the prayers offered on the Rameumptom
.
In a BYU
speech entitled, No Less Serviceable, Howard W. Hunter
gave the following recognition to Shiblon: "Many make their contributions in unsung ways... We don't know much about Shiblon, the faithful son of Alma who is sandwiched between Helaman, the future leader, and Corianton, the transgressor; but it is significant that he is described as a 'just man, and he did walk uprightly before God'" (Alma 63:2).
; after which, each went on their separate ways to begin their missionary labors. Through their faith and prayers, Shiblon and the others found success among the poorer class of the Zoramites, who had been "cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel."
, during Shiblon's mission to the Zoramites, Alma gave him counsel and advice. From these instructions, we learn that Shiblon was held in bonds and stoned for the Word's sake. According to Alma, Shiblon bore all things with patience because the Lord was with him. We also discover the following strengths and weaknesses that Shiblon may have possessed through the words of counsel that Alma gives:
) came, Shiblon inherited the records and other sacred things from Helaman, his brother. He kept them for three years, and then realized he would soon die. And as he could not deliver them to Corianton, who had gone north in a ship, he gave them to Helaman II, the son of his brother Helaman. Shiblon died in the 39th year, or 53 BC
.
pointed out both names are probably related to the Arabic word shibl, "lion cub", and argued that Shiblon may have been a variant of Shiblom. His student Benjamin Urrutia
went on to make the connection with the "Jaguar Cub" imagery of the Olmec
people.
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
, Shiblon was a Nephite
Nephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
missionary and record-keeper. He was the second son of Alma the Younger
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
, who was the first chief judge. In the 17th year of the reign of the judges, or 74 BC
74 BC
Year 74 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lucullus and Cotta...
, Shiblon went with his younger brother Corianton and his father Alma, along with 5 others, on a mission to teach the word of God to the apostate Zoramites
Zoramites
In the Book of Mormon, the Zoramites were one of three major Nephite sects, existing during the administration of Alma the Younger as the High Priest over the Church of God...
in the land of Antionum
Antionum
According to the Book of Mormon, Antionum was a Nephite military commander under the prophet-general Mormon and lived during the 4th century. During the final war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, at the cataclysmic Battle of Cumorah, Antionum and his entire army of ten thousand men were...
, while his older brother Helaman
Helaman
According to the Book of Mormon, Helaman was a Nephite prophet and soldier who lived around the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known in LDS theology for leading into battle an army of two thousand young warriors, which he referred to as his two thousand sons...
stayed behind. The other members of the group consisted of Amulek
Amulek
Amulek is a key figure from the Book of Alma, a section of the Book of Mormon.-Mission to Ammonihah:According to Alma, chapters 8-14, Amulek, in 82 B.C., accompanied the prophet Alma the Younger on a mission to the wicked city of Ammonihah, where he preached the Gospel and contended with the...
, Zeezrom
Zeezrom
According to the Book of Mormon, Zeezrom was an ancient American lawyer who sought to destroy the liberty of the Nephites via his legal practice. He was converted to the gospel by Alma the Younger and his missionary companion Amulek...
, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni
Sons of Mosiah
The sons of Mosiah is the collective name used in the Book of Mormon for four sons of King Mosiah, whose names were Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni. These sons were notable for their initial opposition to the church, their miraculous repentance and conversion to Christ. They subsequently served as...
. The group witnessed the peculiar way that the Zoramites worshiped in their synagogues, including the prayers offered on the Rameumptom
Rameumptom
According to the Book of Mormon, a Rameumptom is a high tower or stand from which the apostate Zoramites gave a pre-determined, vain prayer. The practice of preaching from a Rameumptom was viewed by several Book of Mormon characters as sinful..Based on this passage in the Book of Mormon, the term...
.
In a BYU
BYU
-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
speech entitled, No Less Serviceable, Howard W. Hunter
Howard W. Hunter
Howard William Hunter was the fourteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1994 to 1995. His nine month presidential tenure is the shortest in the history of the Church...
gave the following recognition to Shiblon: "Many make their contributions in unsung ways... We don't know much about Shiblon, the faithful son of Alma who is sandwiched between Helaman, the future leader, and Corianton, the transgressor; but it is significant that he is described as a 'just man, and he did walk uprightly before God'" (Alma 63:2).
Zoramite mission
At the commencement of the Zoramites mission, Alma offered a prayer for Shiblon and the rest of the group, for the Lord to sustain and guide them. At the end of the prayer, as Alma clapped his hands upon them, each one was filled with the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
; after which, each went on their separate ways to begin their missionary labors. Through their faith and prayers, Shiblon and the others found success among the poorer class of the Zoramites, who had been "cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel."
Alma's counsel
In 73 BC73 BC
Year 73 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lucullus and Longinus...
, during Shiblon's mission to the Zoramites, Alma gave him counsel and advice. From these instructions, we learn that Shiblon was held in bonds and stoned for the Word's sake. According to Alma, Shiblon bore all things with patience because the Lord was with him. We also discover the following strengths and weaknesses that Shiblon may have possessed through the words of counsel that Alma gives:
Strengths
- His steadiness and faithfulness unto God from his youth
- Brought great joy to his prophet father
- Was diligent, patient, and long-suffering.
Counsel because of possible weaknesses
- Remember to put your trust in God to be delivered out of your trials and afflictions
- Continue to teach the word of God
- Be diligent and temperate in all things
- Do not be lifted up unto pride
- Be humble, and do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your strength
- Use boldness, but not overbearance
- Bridle all your passions
- Refrain from idleness
- Be sober
Importance of continual encouragement
According to the record, while Shiblon appears to be obedient to his father's teachings, Alma demonstrates with his added advice that adult children are in need of continual direction and encouragement from their fathers regardless of the child's maturity and station in life.Record-keeping in later years
When the 36th year of the judges (56 BC56 BC
Year 56 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lentulus and Philippus...
) came, Shiblon inherited the records and other sacred things from Helaman, his brother. He kept them for three years, and then realized he would soon die. And as he could not deliver them to Corianton, who had gone north in a ship, he gave them to Helaman II, the son of his brother Helaman. Shiblon died in the 39th year, or 53 BC
53 BC
Year 53 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Messalla and Calvinus...
.
Family tree
Origin of name
LDS scholar Hugh NibleyHugh Nibley
Hugh Winder Nibley was an American author, Mormon apologist, and professor at Brigham Young University...
pointed out both names are probably related to the Arabic word shibl, "lion cub", and argued that Shiblon may have been a variant of Shiblom. His student Benjamin Urrutia
Benjamín Urrutia
Benjamin Urrutia is an author and scholar. With Guy Davenport, Urrutia edited The Logia of Yeshua, which collected what Urrutia and Davenport consider to be Jesus' authentic sayings from a variety of canonical and non-canonical sources...
went on to make the connection with the "Jaguar Cub" imagery of the Olmec
Olmec
The Olmec were the first major Pre-Columbian civilization in Mexico. They lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, in the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco....
people.
Other uses
Shiblon is also the name of a silver Nephite weight, equal to half a senine of gold, or senum of silver. It, therefore, bought half a measure of barley in the Nephite world. See Book of Mormon metals.See also
- Book of MormonBook of MormonThe Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
- Alma the YoungerAlma the YoungerAccording to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...