- 6After Alma had finished speaking to the congregation established in Zarahemla, he ordained priests and elders by placing his hands on them and ordaining them, according to God’s Order, to protect and watch over the congregation. 2Those who didn’t belong to the congregation and repented of their sins were baptized as a sign of repentance and received into the congregation. 3And those who belonged to the congregation and didn’t repent of their sins and humble themselves before God (meaning those who were filled with pride to their core) were rejected and their names were erased, so they weren’t included among those of the righteous. 4This is how they began to establish order in the congregation in Zarahemla. 5Now I want you to understand that God’s word was freely available to everyone, so no one was deprived of the privilege of assembling to hear God’s word. 6Nevertheless, God’s children were commanded to gather often and to join in fasting and humble prayer on behalf of the well-being of those souls who didn’t know God.
- 7When Alma had delivered these instructions, he left them — that is, the congregation in the city of Zarahemla — and went over to the east of the Sidon River into the valley of Gideon, where a city had been built called Gideon. It was located in the valley called Gideon, named after the man who had been killed with a sword by Nehor. 8So Alma went to declare God’s word to the congregation established in the valley of Gideon. He went to teach the revealed truth spoken by his fathers. And to follow the spirit of prophecy that was in him. Testifying of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who would redeem His people from their sins. This followed the Holy Order in which he had been called to serve. That is according to the written record. Amen.
Chapter 4