Alma did not advocate a dole system, but one somewhat like the present welfare program of the Church. The principles that governed the program were ability to give (v. 27), agency and a good conscience before God (v. 28); and helping others both temporally and spiritually (v. 29). These principles were advocated by King Benjamin (see Mosiah 2) and discussed in that chapter so will only be listed here.
The waters and place of Mormon were certainly beautiful to any resident or traveler, and it was also spiritually beautiful to those who came to a knowledge of their Redeemer in that place. It was much like the mission field of today where the young men and young women serve, each one feeling it was the best mission in the Church, and it was for them. It was like the sacred places in Church history: the sacred grove in New York, the Whitney Store or Temple in Kirkland, Ohio, the John Johnson home in Hiram, Ohio where the vision of the degrees of glory was given, or Nauvoo or Independence, Missouri. It was like the mount of Beatitudes, the mount of transfiguration, Gethsemane, or the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem where the Savior had great experiences. In these places, the Spirit of the Lord still dwells, and so it must have done in the place of Mormon. An appreciation and understanding of the covenants made in the waters of baptism will produce our own spiritual waters of Mormon in our hearts.