Having fled the servants of Noah, he spent time repenting of
his sin. “‘And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which
Abinadi had spoken’ (Mosiah 17:4). Thus Alma equipped himself with a full
written account of the traditions as Abinadi had read it to his hearers at
great length; it took him ‘many days’ to do the job, and we can be sure that
when he emerged from hiding he was steeped in the traditions not only of the
priests (for he was one of them) but of the prophets as well. He was ready to
organize his church.”[1]
Having done this, he began to privately teach people the words of Abinadi. “And
many did believe his words” (Mosiah 18:3).
The next task was to find a place where they could settle
and be free from Noah’s attempts to kill Alma and his followers. They “did go
forth to a place which was called Mormon, having received its name from the
king, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times or at
seasons, by wild beasts. Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and
Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees,
where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king” (Mosiah
18:4-5).
Speaking to the church members, he gave what is among the
best descriptions of what it means to be a true follower of Christ.
“Alma described, in his words at the Waters of Mormon, what
you promised at your baptism and what it will mean to you and everyone around
you—especially in your families. He was speaking to those who were about to
make the covenants you have made, and they also received the promise that the
Lord made to you.”[2]
“[N]ow, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and
to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that
they may be light;
“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea,
and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of
God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even
until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the
first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
“Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts,
what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness
before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve
him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly
upon you” (Mosiah 18:8-10).
The church Alma established at the waters of Mormon
consisted of around 450 people (see Mosiah 18:35). For a few years, they prospered
in the land. However, a change is coming. “Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to
chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith” (Mosiah
23:21).
While working the land, they saw a Lamanite army at the
border of the land. They told Alma. They were afraid of what the Lamanites
would do to them. Alma went among them and told them…
“[T]hey should remember the Lord their God and he would
deliver them.
“Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto
the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would
spare them, and their wives, and their children.
“And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts of
the Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up
into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam”
(Mosiah 18:27-29).
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