Concerning the conversions of Paul and Alma, it may be instructive to compare the similarities and differences between these two magnificent missionaries. As for their backgrounds, both men were raised in a religious setting. Yet, unlike Alma, Paul wasn’t opposed to his father’s teachings. Paul was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and seems to have been very much in agreement with his father who apparently had enough money to send Paul to Jerusalem (a long trip) to go away from home to study. Paul must have had family support to be able to do that. So, Paul didn’t have the same type of family conflict.
Both were persecuting believers. Was there a difference, though, between the kinds of things that Paul was doing and the kind of things that Alma was doing? Paul was convinced in his heart that he was doing the right thing. He was totally committed to what he was doing, whereas Alma, having been taught by his father, probably knew on some level that he was going against the truth.
Jesus said to Paul, "Why persecutest thou me?" That may have been a shock to Paul because he thought he was doing absolutely the right thing. Yet, when the angel said to Alma, "Why are you doing this? Will you of yourself be destroyed?" it was because the destruction for Alma was far more serious than for Paul. Paul had done some serious things, but he was not quite sinning against the same degree of knowledge. So Alma’s situation was a little different there as well.
Paul lost his vision, whereas Alma, who was going around saying all the wrong things, lost his speech as well as his ability to move. That is the kind of justice that we see so often in the ancient world. It is called talionic justice, where the "punishment fits the crime." Paul could still walk around although he could not see. His friends helped him. He had to be led, but he was never really unconscious. In contrast, how did Alma get from where they were when this happened? His friends, the four sons of Mosiah, had to carry Alma to his father.
Alma the Elder heard about what had happened and he liked it. He rejoiced immediately. He said, "I know the Lord’s hand is in this," but he did not know yet how it was going to turn out. He had faith that if the Lord was in charge, at least now his son would have a chance. However, Alma the Younger could have turned away from this, and could have died. Looking back upon his story, we know the outcome. But Alma the Elder and those with him had to exercise a great deal of faith.
Paul, on the other hand, simply said to the Lord, "What will you have me do?" There was not the same complexity. Paul asked, "Who are you Lord?" and received the reply, "I am Jesus Christ whom thou persecutest." He asked next, "Well, what would you have me do?" He immediately becomes a willing servant.
Rex E. Lee, "Paul and Alma and Harold B. Lee: What Prophets and Common Sense Can Teach Us about Learning from Our Mistakes," Brigham Young University Devotional and Fireside Speeches, (Provo, Utah: BYU Press, 1993/94), 13–17.
Book of Mormon Central, "Why Are there Multiple Accounts of Joseph Smith’s and Alma’s Visions? (Alma 36:6–7)," KnoWhy 264 (January 20, 2017).
How Paul’s conversion can strengthen your faith in Joseph Smith’s accounts of the First Vision," Book of Mormon Central Blog, July 30, 2019, online at bookofmormoncentral.org.