You can read the entire chapter at the following link: https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/6?lang=eng.
One person cannot
do everything for everyone. That may be the signal lesson from this chapter.
Alma is undoubtedly a very important leader and prophet, and he has bravely
followed his spiritual convictions to leave his high worldly office and
concentrate on re-teaching the people about their urgent need for repentance
and salvation through Christ. We sense that, whatever Alma has achieved in the
past as a spiritual leader, he is taking things to a new level of powerful
insight and directness. But he is still just one man.
As Alma gets ready to move on from the Nephite capital of Zarahemla to share his message with others throughout the land, he recognizes a need to do something that can keep the importance of his teachings in front of the people, and allow people to make covenants and receive saving ordinances even in his absence. That is where the Church and priesthood organization comes into play. Alma ordains “priests and elders, by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch over the church” (verse 1).
These other people are able to carry on in the Lord’s name. They establish order. At first mention, this may sound like a trivial thing. Organizing our closets, drawers and cabinets can establish order. What’s the difference here? The difference is that followers of Christ need to know who has the proper authority from Christ to teach them and help them know which of their peers is also able to act as a servant and minister of the gospel. In short, “Whom can I trust to share true principles with me that, if I follow them, will lead me to eternal life and joy?”
Setting things in order sometimes requires correction for those who are not in line with Christ’s teachings. At times this affects the blessings they can receive under the covenants they have made until they repent. But our narrator Mormon tells us that even in these cases, no one is denied the opportunity to hear the word of God. In fact, God and His servants dedicate themselves to fasting and prayer on behalf of souls who are—for whatever reason—not united with them (verses 3-6).
Having set leaders
in place for the people of Zarahemla, Alma departs for the city of Gideon—named
after the faithful servant who saved the Nephites time and again and died
righteously standing up to Nehor—to meet and assess the needs of its people,
and to testify of truth by virtue of his authority to speak for the Lord
(verses 7-8).
