The previous summary (vv. 1–7) was either written by Alma, or was an abridgment of Alma’s record by Mormon (see the italicized superscription above Alma 17). These verses, the rest of chapter 28, and chapter 29, are the words of Alma judging from Alma 29:14–17. Alma 28:8–12 is somewhat repetitious, which reflects two authors and suggests that Mormon was abridging verses one through seven. The famous “thus we see” precept inserts, usually attributed to Mormon as he abridged, seem to be the words of Alma, since there is no break between Alma 28:14 and Alma 29:1. The chapter divisions were done by latter-day apostles. While the one who is writing is not as important as the message, we will treat the remainder of the text (Alma 28:8–29:17) as Alma’s summary of Ammon and his brethren in the land of Nephi (v. 8).
Alma adds the precepts of the state of endless wo, the rejoicing and hope that come according to the promises of the Lord, and that the righteous who are killed will be raised to dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness (vv. 11–12). King Benjamin’s words are again reflected (see Mosiah 2:39–40). These words set the stage for Alma’s three “thus we see” precepts to bring us nearer to God.
The first precept, the inequality of man “because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil” (Alma 28:13) is drawn from the account of the Amalekites and the order of Nehor stirring the people up to anger under the influence of the devil (see Alma 24:28–30; 27:1–3). Mormon probably wanted us to know the precepts drawn by Alma because he knew the power of the devil would also be stirring up the people to anger in these latter days.
The second precept, the great call for men to labor in the vineyard (Alma 28:14a), is drawn from the work of the sons of Mosiah among the Lamanites. While thousands have been loosed from the pains of hell (Alma 26:13) by these few missionaries, thousands of others have been laid low in the earth without hearing the gospel (Alma 27:11). The allegory of the house of Israel foretold of the servants of the Lord being few when they pruned the vineyard for the last time (Jacob 5:70–71). Modern revelation confirms that we are in the last pruning (D&C 33:3; 43:28). Although we have many thousand missionaries in the field, there is still a need for more because there are many people yet to hear the gospel.
The third precept, the great reason for sorrow was because of death and destruction, and the great reason to rejoice was because of the light of Christ unto life (Alma 28:14b), which were reflected in Alma 27:10–12 as well as in previous accounts of Ammon and his brethren. In our own day of wars and rumors of war (see JST, Matthew 1:23), the same sorrows of death and destruction are prevalent along with the rejoicing over hundreds of thousands of converts to the Church each year.