Through the Book of Mormon record we relive the formal organization of the Church among the branch of Israel gathered in Zarahemla. We see the commitment of these early members. We will soon see the patience and love of a father—himself reformed—for his bright but misdirected son, Alma the Younger, who later (along with his colleagues of the rising generation) cultivates a single-minded devotion to missionary work and the service to God. All of this is part of the epic saga of building up the kingdom of God on earth.
The Book of Mormon confirms that where there is covenant leadership on earth, with authorized representatives of the Lord’s priesthood power, the Church will emerge in its divinely appointed structure to administer the ordinances and blessings of the gospel to the sons and daughters of God.