All the Nephites Reunite in Zarahemla

After Alma’s people arrived in Zarahemla, King Mosiah called a meeting of all the people, most of which were descendants of Mulek. Although many, the Nephites and the descendants of Mulek combined still were not even half the number of Lamanites.

The Nephites and the descendants of Mulek assembled into two groups to hear the readings from the records that had been kept. Mosiah first had Zeniff’s record read (the record kept by Zeniff and his grandson, Limhi). Then Alma’s account was read, beginning from his own conversion, and ending when he and his people arrived in Zarahemla.

Mosiah’s people who had stayed in Zarahemla were completely amazed after hearing these accounts. They did not know what to think. Seeing those who had been delivered out of bondage filled them with joy, yet thinking about their fellow Nephites who had been killed brought them to tears. But when they realized the immediate goodness of God, and how He delivered Alma and his people out of Lamanite bondage, they raised their voices and gave thanks to Him. And when they thought about their brethren, the Lamanites, and of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.

The children of Amulon and those other wicked priests—the children who had been abandoned when their fathers had run away with King Noah, had been so unhappy with the conduct of their fathers that they rejected their fathers’ names and called themselves the children of Nephi.

Now all the people in Zarahemla, even the descendants of Mulek, were called Nephites, because beginning with Mosiah’s grandfather, Mosiah, the kingdom had been conferred only upon a descendant of Nephi. When Mosiah finished speaking, he asked Alma to speak. The people divided into large groups, and Alma spoke to each group, preaching repentance and faith in the Lord. Alma called upon Limhi’s people, and upon all who had been delivered out of bondage, to remember that it was the Lord who had delivered them.

After Alma had taught the people many things, Limhi and all his people wanted to be baptized, so Alma went into the water and baptized them by immersion. Those whom he baptized now belonged to the church of God.

Then King Mosiah allowed Alma to establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla, giving him permission to ordain priests and teachers over each church. There were too many people to be governed by one teacher, nor could they all hear the word of God in one assembly, so they gathered into different groups called churches. Every church had priests who taught according to Alma’s words. Even though there were many churches, they were all one church—the church of God, and nothing but repentance and faith in God was preached in all the churches. There were seven church groups in the land of Zarahemla, and all who wanted to take upon themselves the name of Christ, or of God, joined the church of God. They were all called the people of God, and the Lord poured out His Spirit upon them, and they were blessed and prospered in the land.