The iniquitous rule of King Noah rankled in Alma's bosom. It had produced a festering and inflamed effect in his mind. The memory of it stirred up a strong revulsion in him to the rule of kings. He desired to draw away from any course that might thereafter lead to its repetition.
In ancient times the right of kingship went from father to son. This seems to have been the custom among the Nephites who undoubtedly followed the established practice of the Jews from among whom their fathers came.
Zeniff, the first king of the people of Lehi-Nephi, was a righteous man, although a somewhat careless but a determined one. Noah, his son who succeeded him as heir, spent his time in prodigal living and in abusing the powers that pertained to the office he held. What a gap between them! Alma remembered the sufferings King Noah brought upon his subjects, and also the reproach the Lord heaped upon them. Alma believed the words of Abinadi, and through him saw the wicked ways which were so much despised by the Lord.
Although Alma was one of King Noah's priests, and in many ways had followed him in evil practices, yet when Abinadi warned them against their wicked actions, he believed all the Prophet said, and escaped the sorrowful consequences thereof by "sore repentance."
One way in which Alma showed his complete repentance was in prayer to God. He sought the Lord with all the humility of a penitent sinner who now saw the error of his ways and would amend them. In sorrow he lifted his voice to God and entreated Him to open the way so that, as an instrument in His hands, he might bring "many of you to a knowledge of the truth." The Lord, after much silence, answered Alma's prayer, and caused that those who heard Alma's voice should also repent. Thus through Alma's prayers, was established the Church of Christ in the Land of Lehi-Nephi.