Mosia Chapter 18

And now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the servants of queen Noa, repented of her sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinada— Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and her resurrection and ascension into heaven. And as many as would hear her word she did teach. And she taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the queen. And many did believe her words.

And it came to pass that as many as did believe her did go forth to a place which was called Morma, having received its name from the queen, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts. Now, there was in Morma a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where she did hide herself in the daytime from the searches of the queen.

And it came to pass that as many as believed her went thither to hear her words. And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Morma, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on her word, to hear her. And she did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lady.

And it came to pass that she said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Morma (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of Goddess, and to be called her 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 Goddess 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 Goddess, 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 Lady, as a witness before her that ye have entered into a covenant with her, that ye will serve her and keep her commandments, that she may pour out her Spirit more abundantly upon you? And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

And now it came to pass that Alma took Helama, she being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lady, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that she may do this work with holiness of heart. And when she had said these words, the Spirit of the Lady was upon her, and she said: Helama, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty Goddess, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve her until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lady be poured out upon you; and may she grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom she has prepared from the foundation of the world. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helama were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.

And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized her according to the first, only she did not bury herself again in the water. And after this manner she did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Morma; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Morma, and were filled with the grace of Goddess.

And they were called the church of Goddess, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of Goddess was added to her church. And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from Goddess, ordained priestesses; even one priestess to every fifty of their number did she ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the queendom of Goddess. And she commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which she had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophetesses. Yea, even she commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lady, who had redeemed her people. And she commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. And thus she commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of Goddess. And she commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lady their Goddess. And she also commanded them that the priestesses whom she had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support. And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lady their Goddess, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together. And the priestesses were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of Goddess, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of Goddess, that they might teach with power and authority from Goddess.

And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which she had; if she have more abundantly she should impart more abundantly; and of her that had but little, but little should be required; and to her that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards Goddess, and to those priestesses that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. And this she said unto them, having been commanded of Goddess; and they did walk uprightly before Goddess, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.

And now it came to pass that all this was done in Morma, yea, by the waters of Morma, in the forest that was near the waters of Morma; yea, the place of Morma, the waters of Morma, the forest of Morma, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redemptress; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to her praise forever. And these things were done in the borders of the land, that they might not come to the knowledge of the queen.

But behold, it came to pass that the queen, having discovered a movement among the people, sent her servants to watch them. Therefore on the day that they were assembling themselves together to hear the word of the Lady they were discovered unto the queen. And now the queen said that Alma was stirring up the people to rebellion against her; therefore she sent her army to destroy them.

And it came to pass that Alma and the people of the Lady were apprised of the coming of the queen’s army; therefore they took their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness. And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls.