The Law of Moses contained a group of commandments which focused on controlling one's actions. They are the "thou shalt not" commandments. Today, we spend a lot of time on "thou shalt not" commandments. We shouldn't drink, smoke, watch "R" rated movies, break the Sabbath, wear revealing clothes, swear, cheat, lie, etc. Yet if we focus on these commandments, it indicates that we have not advanced passed a "Law of Moses" mentality.
The Lord taught a higher law. Part of that higher law was that the desires and thoughts of the individual should be raised to greater heights. Alma is addressing this subject exhorting the brethren to develop qualities of character: humility, submissiveness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, temperance, diligence, gratitude, faith, hope, and charity. These are the qualities of godliness, and if we are ever going to approach perfection, these qualities need to be the subject of our active pursuits. Obedience to the "thou shalt not" commandments should become second nature to us so that the more important characteristics can be the subject of intense focus.
Peter was trying to get the saints to focus on these important qualities when he exhorted them:
'…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall' (2 Pet 1:5-10).
Neal A. Maxwell
"Being perfect is not a vague, generalized condition, but the acquiring of key attributes. Our Father is described not only as omnipotent and omniscient, but also as having ultimate capacity in justice and mercy.
"These qualities, therefore, are those we are either to acquire or to develop much more deeply. C.S. Lewis observed that we must realize that God 'wants a people of a particular sort,' not just obedience to a set of rules." (We Will Prove Them Herewith, p. 62)
Joseph B. Wirthlin
"Consider President McKay's comments regarding the many little things that build our spirituality: 'Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every loyalty to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to principle; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretence or policy, but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good's sake—that is spirituality.'
"President McKay also taught us that 'spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength. To feel one's faculties unfolding and truth expanding the soul is one of life's sublimest experiences.'
"These little things—which, in reality, become such big things—bring perspective to our lives as we learn to conquer them one by one in our effort to gain strength. And this we do in a spirit of humility and gratitude to our Heavenly Father. Alma expressed it best when he said: (quotes Alma 7:23.)" (Finding Peace in Our Lives, p. 70)