Mosiah 18

After fleeing from King Noah, Alma repented his sins and began teaching Abinadi’s message about the coming of Jesus Christ, his resurrection into heaven, and the resulting redemption of people from his suffering. He privately taught those who showed interest, hoping to pass unnoticed by the king. Many believed his words.

He found a place in the woods named Mormon, where a fountain of pure water arose from the ground. This is where he taught and where people came to hear him speak. One day, a large number of people had gathered to hear him. [147 BC]

“Here are the waters of Mormon,” he said. “If you wish to enter the community of God and lighten one another’s burdens, you have come to the right place. You must be willing to share the grief of others, and stand as witnesses to God to be redeemed and live eternally in the first resurrection. If this is your desire, you must be baptized in the name of God. We do this as witness to your promises that you will keep his commandments and receive his Spirit.”

Hearing these words, the people clapped their hands in joy, saying, “This is our heart’s desire.”

Alma took a man named Helam into the water and said, “Oh, God, pour your Spirit into this servant so that he may do your work with a holy heart. Helam, I baptize you by the authority from Almighty God as testimony that you have entered into a promise to serve him as long as you live. May the Spirit of God enter you and grant you eternal life through the redemption of Jesus Christ.” After saying this, Alma submerged Helam and himself in the waters of Mormon. They arose rejoicing and full of the Spirit.

Alma baptized the people in this way, one after another, until 204 people had all been filled with the grace of God. They called themselves the Church of Christ, from that day onward. As more were baptized, after that day, they were also added to the church.

For every 50 members, Alma was given authority from God to ordain new priests. He commanded that they teach only the things which he’d been taught about repentance, redemption, and faith in God. He commanded that they should all work together as one people, without conflict. They should see with one vision, keep one faith, connect with one baptism, and knit themselves together in unity and love towards one another. And so they became the children of God.

Alma commanded that the sabbath be set aside from work days as a holy day in which they would assemble and offer their thanks to God. Alma’s priests were told not to rely on the people for their support, but rather to work, using their own efforts to sustain themselves and impart the knowledge of God. Alma commanded that his people give part of their food and possessions, in accordance with their ability, to help the people in need. Having given, the people could stand tall before God, knowing that they had helped their brothers both tangibly and spiritually.

All of this was done secretly in the place by the water named Mormon. When King Noah discovered this secret movement, he sent his servants to spy on the church and report back to him. When he heard of their large assembly, the king accused Alma of rebellion and sent his army out to destroy the church. Alma and his people learned of the king’s plan in advance, and 450 of them slipped out of King Noah’s grasp, into the wilderness.