Prior to Alma’s bizarre departure (Book of Mormon, Alma 45:18-19), he speaks to his son, Helaman, about a few forthcoming items in the book. However, he gives him a strict charge of secrecy. Then, conflicting his own words, tells Helaman to document it:

“but behold I have some what to Prophesy unto thee but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known yea what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known even until the Prophecy is fulfilled therefore write the words which I shall say”

Alma 45:9, The Handwritten Book of Mormon (West Valley City, UT: Dan Wees, September 2017), 437.

How often does someone swear another to secrecy, yet in the same breath, beg them to permanently etch the information in metal?