Alma 13:4-9

4  And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

5  Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

6  And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—

7  This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—

8  Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—

9  Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth.  And thus it is.  Amen.

Alma 13:4-9 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) continues by telling them that many had been called to serve but rejected the Spirit of God because of their hardened hearts and blinded minds.  Had it not then for this, they would have had the privilege of serving the Lord.

Their calling had come before the foundation of the world, but they hardened their hearts.

Hugh Nibley observes:

“Well why were they hard and blind? I don't know; ask them. It's the mystery of iniquity. Why do we choose good or bad? You have it in yourself—you know.” [1]   (Emphasis mine)

M. Catherine Thomas wrote:

“Of course, as people do in this world, the maturing spirits in the premortal world advanced at different rates and to different levels of spirituality, though Alma says that they were initially on the same standing with each other (Alma 13:5); that is, they had equal opportunity to advance, but some rejected the Spirit of God ‘on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds’ (Alma 13:4) and did not make the progress that would have given them the privilege of entering the holy order.” [2] (Emphasis mine)

He tells them that those who were faithful were “ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God.”  This is the Melchizedek priesthood.  They received a holy calling, ordained by holy ordinance, obtained the high priesthood of the holy order, and became high priests forever, “after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father…”

John Welch explains:

“Because they held the Melchizedek Priesthood (Alma 13:6—19), they could function in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood even though they were not Levites. Nephite priests were ordained in a manner that looked ‘forward on the Son of God, [the ordination] being a type of his order’ (Alma 13:16).” [3] (Emphasis mine)

18  And Melchizedek [HEB King of righteousness]  king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Genesis 14:18 (Emphasis mine)

1  FOR this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Hebrews 7:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 (Emphasis mine)

1  FOR every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Hebrews 5:1 (Emphasis mine)

1  WHEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

2  Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Hebrews 3:1-2 (Emphasis mine)

8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 5:8-10 (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Lecture 49: Alma 12-14, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 1, 2011.

[2] Alma the Younger, Part 1, M. Catherine Thomas, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 1, 2011.

[3] Religious Teachings and Practices in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 1, 2011.