Alma's teaching that the people would be more blessed if they were humble without being compelled is reminiscent of the interaction between the Savior and Thomas. Thomas would not believe in the resurrection until he had seen the Savior with his own eyes. When this happened, the Savior said, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (Jn 20:29). This concept is repeated when the Savior visits the Nephites, blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am. And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me (3 Nephi 12:1-2).
Righteousness is always rewarded with blessings. However, it is more blessed to be righteous when less of a witness is given. There were those who, unlike Thomas, believed in the resurrection of the Lord prior to seeing a witness. There were those of Alma's listeners who were humble without compulsion. And there were Nephites who believed in the Christ at the testimony of others. All of these were promised the greater blessing. Therefore, the greater the leap of faith, the greater the blessing is from the Lord.
During our moments of introspection, we should analyze our motives for keeping the commandments. Hopefully, our obedience comes from desires for righteousness and not compulsory circumstances.
Ezra Taft Benson
"God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, 'Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.' (Alma 32:16.)
"Let us choose to be humble. We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently. We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives.
"Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can." (Conference Report, May 1989, p. 6)
Alvin R. Dyer
"Be humble. One of the crowning goals of being spiritually minded is the human quality of humility, especially if it is self-imposed." (Conference Report, May 1967, p. 110)