Alma Addresses the People

After Mosiah completed his discussion about the political situation, he was anxious that the people should hear the good news from Alma so that they might come to know Alma as the good man he was just as he had.

Alma had the people assemble in groups and went from group to group teaching them the words of Abinadi.  He preached faith, repentance, and baptism.  He exhorted those who had been delivered from oppressive situations to remember that it was God who delivered them.

When he had finished his teaching, king Limhi made two decisions: first, he was a Nephite and would be subject to Mosiah as his king.  Second, he desired of Alma that he be baptized.  All of Limhi's people followed his example, for each had remembered that God had delivered them and they were humble and grateful.  They believed all the words of Alma.

Alma continued to teach the people many things.  He baptized literally hundreds into the Church.  Remember, 450 people escaped with Limhi, and all who were of the age of accountability chose to be baptized.

Mosiah granted permission for Alma to formally organize the Church of God and to set up branches of the Church throughout all of the land of Zarahemla (not just in the city.)  He gave him the governmental authority to call and ordain priests and teachers to serve in the branches of the Church because the Church was now so large that it was impossible for one man to preach and minister to so many.

This, Alma did.  Thereafter, the people assembled themselves in different congregations, although they were of the same Church, as to belief.  There were seven such branches of the Church throughout Zarahemla.  Alma was recognized as the prophet and leader of the Church.  He admonished his priests and teachers to preach pure doctrine - faith in God, repentance, forgiveness, love, and service.  Anyone who heard their preaching and desired baptism became part of the Church of God. And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land. (Mosiah 25: 24)

One final point: Alma received government authority to legally set up a church, but his priesthood authority that gave him the authority to call priests and teachers to minister in the Church came from God.  These are two very distinct forms of authority.  In 1830, when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized, Joseph Smith received the legal authority to set up a church from the State of New York under state law.  But his priesthood authority was restored by God at the hands of ancient prophets and apostles.  Likewise, the power to confer authority onto other (the keys of the priesthood) was given by God.  An example of priesthood keys occurred when Moses received his authority from God and then received the authority or keys to pass it on when he ordained Aaron, his brother, and Aaron's sons. 

God is a God of order and he is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

 

Text copyright August 2013, Gebara Education

 

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