“Privately Among the People”

Brant Gardner

We are not told of the process of repentance that Alma went through, but we may understand that it was complete. Alma has been completely converted by Abinadi, in the true sense of "converted," that is, that he has been changed from one state to another. Where Alma was once a firm supporter of the king and the king's religious doctrine, he is now a proponent of the gospel as Abinadi had explained it.

Alma must also have known that his life was in danger, but in spite of that, he "went about privately among the people." It may have been that people were willing to listen to Alma where they did not listen to Abinadi precisely because it had cost Alma so much to follow God. He had lost position and rank, he had certainly lost wealth, and was in danger of losing his life. Alma was an obvious walking testimony to the power Abinadi's message had in his life.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References