Mosiah 18

Alma, who had run from the servants of King Noah, repented of his sins and secretly taught the people the words of Abinadi. He taught about the things to come and also about the resurrection of the dead and about Christ and his resurrection and ascent to heaven.

Alma taught all who would listen. He taught them privately, so that the king would not find out. Many believed Alma’s words. All those who believed him went to a place called Mormon. It was on the borders of the land that was sometimes overrun with wild beasts.

There was, in Mormon, a fountain of pure water. Alma hid there in the daytime from the searches of the king. Many people went there to hear Alma’s words. One day there was a large group gathered at the waters of Mormon.

Alma said: I know you want to come to God and be called His people and help each other. You are willing to be sad with those who are sad and give comfort to those who need comfort. You are willing to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places, even until death, that you may be saved by God and be given eternal life.

If this is the desire of your hearts, you should be baptized. Promise to serve God. Obey his commandments. If you do, He will send his Spirit to you.

When the people heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy. They said: This is the wish of our hearts. Alma then took Helam into the water and said: O Lord, pour out your Spirit on your servant that he may do this work with holiness of heart.

When Alma said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was with him. Alma said: Helam, I baptize you, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that you have made a promise to serve him your whole life. May the Spirit of the Lord be poured out on you and may he grant to you eternal life through Christ.

After Alma said these words, both Alma and Helam went under the water and they came out of the water in joy, being filled with the Spirit. Then Alma took another, went a second time into the water and baptized him like the first.

In this way, Alma baptized every one that went to the place of Mormon about two hundred and four souls. They were filled with the mercy of God. They were called the Church of Christ. All who were baptized by the power and authority of God were added to His church.

Alma was given authority from God to ordain priests—one priest for every fifty members. He told them to teach only the things that he had taught and those things that were spoken by the mouths of the holy prophets. He told them to preach only repentance and faith on the Lord.

He told them that there should be no fighting and to have their hearts knit together in unity and love towards each other. They became the children of God. He told them to keep the Sabbath Day holy and give thanks to the Lord, their God, every day in prayer. One day in each week was set apart for them to gather together to teach each other and worship God.

He also told the priests to work with their own hands. Priests should not live on the people’s money. They do the Lord’s work, not for money, but for the mercy of God. They became strong in the Spirit and knowledge of God.

Alma told the people of the church to share their wealth. Those who had more shared with those who had less. They obeyed God, sharing with one another both the things of life and the things of the spirit.

All this was done in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon. But the king discovered them and sent his servants to watch them.

The king said Alma was stirring the people to fight against him, so he sent his army to destroy them. Alma learned about the coming army. He took his people and went into the wilderness. There were about four hundred fifty people.