16 And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God.
17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.
18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Alma was one of the priests appointed by the wicked king Noah. According to chapter 11, the qualifications for this role were:
- Pride
- Loyalty to the king, including support for his lazy and idolatrous lifestyle
- Ability to persuade others through flattery (Mosiah 11:5-7)
When the prophet Abinadi preached in King Noah’s court, Alma was convinced of the wickedness of his ways. After pleading with the king on Abinadi’s behalf, he was banished and nearly lost his life (Mosiah 17:2-4).
He immediately began to share the truths he had learned with others privately. When he had gathered a core group of converts, he invited them to be baptized, and he organized them into a church, including ordaining priests to teach them.
I think it’s significant that those who were baptized not only entered into a covenant with God but also became part of a community of people who had entered the same covenant. Baptism not only affects our relationship with our Heavenly Father but also with other people, particularly with the other people who have made the same covenant.
Today, I will be grateful for the friendships and associations I enjoy because of my membership in the Church. I will be grateful that, through baptism, I not only entered a covenant with God, but also joined a community of believers.
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