Alma had begun his discourse by defining “not-faith” (knowledge), then defining faith as related to knowledge. Now he encourages these humble people to have faith by comforting them about their relationship to Yahweh. They believed that they were cut off from Yahweh because they were cut off from Yahweh’s earthly location. Alma tells them that they may approach Yahweh personally through faith. He assures them that Yahweh wants them to have faith, and that’s why Yahweh provided the information about faith in Alma’s preaching to provide that opportunity for belief.