This is Alma the younger’s story, and it begins with him and the sons of Mosiah on the ground. Then the angel calls Alma to stand. He may have fallen to the ground in fear, but being called to stand before an angel of God and be personally chastised would have made it hard to stand at all.
Alma is told that the prayers of many, including his father, have led to this intervention. The angel states that he comes with power and authority of God. When the angel also asks, “Can ye dispute the power of God?”, it is certain that Alma could not, and almost certain that he could not have spoken to say so.
This event is both hopeful and frustrating for parents who have children who do not follow the path the parents have taught. Surely these parents, too, pray for their children. There are times when the prayers do seem to have the ultimate effect of changing the children’s hearts even though not as dramatically as with Alma the younger. However, many parents continue to fervently pray, and no similar change is forthcoming. Yet. We do not know the Lord’s timing, and must continue to have faith that His hand is over all.