Alma acknowledged to the people that he had been born again (v. 23). Either his earlier teachings of his father had helped him to realize what had happened to him, or the Spirit led him to tell the people what had taken place.
Alma’s description of his life following his rebirth was the answer to the question of whether or not a person had been born again. He labored without ceasing, from that time forward to bring souls unto repentance (v. 24). He had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). His life was a confirmation of his experience with the angel being a rebirth, as are others who are truly born again. His labors had not been in vain for many were filled with the Holy Ghost as he had been (vv. 25–26).
President Ezra Taft Benson has given wise counsel on this subject:
We must be cautious, as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception rather than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life.