Alma had spoken previously about the Good Shepherd, but adds some new concepts here. To separate themselves from the wicked and not touch their unclean things (v. 57) reminds us of Isaiah’s prophecy of the latter days: “And then shall a cry go forth: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch not that which is unclean; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). This passage is quoted in the context of the latter days, by the Savior to the Nephites in his divine resurrected ministry (see 3 Nephi 20:41), and in modern revelation (see D&C 38:42, 133:5).
The blotting out of the names of the wicked that their names not be mingled with the names of the righteous, or the names of God’s people (Alma 5:57–58), is also referenced in modern revelation. In the vision of the celestial kingdom, The Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were shown: “They whose names are written in heaven” (D&C 76:68). The names of faithful high priests assembled with the Prophet Joseph Smith on December 27 and 28, 1832 were told that their names “are recorded in the book of names of the sanctified even them of the celestial world” (D&C 88:2). The Prophet Joseph later quoted Revelation 20:12 in regards to salvation of the dead:
6 And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which werewritten in the books, according to their works.
7 You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven. [D&C 128:6–7]
The New Testament also refers to the book of life, or the book of the Lamb of God (see Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5; 21:27).
The concept of the Good Shepherd was spoken of earlier by Alma (5:37–39). Here he adds the warning of the wolves (the devil’s advocates), and the admonition to hearken to the Good Shepherd’s voice that you may be his sheep. In the parable of the Good Shepherd, Jesus explained: “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:26–28). This message seems to be the same as given by Alma.