Alma Teaches and Baptizes

Alma escaped from wicked King Noah’s servants and hid for many days. While he was hiding, he wrote down the words of Abinadi. Mosiah 17:2–4

Alma repented of his sins and went about secretly teaching Abinadi’s words. Alma told the people to have faith in Jesus Christ and to repent. Mosiah 18:1, 7

In the daytime, Alma hid in a thicket of trees by a pool of water called the Waters of Mormon. Mosiah 18:4–5

Those who believed Alma’s teachings came to the Waters of Mormon to be baptized. Alma baptized 204 people into the Church of Christ. Mosiah 18:8–11, 16–17

Alma ordained priests to teach the people. He told them to teach repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Alma said that the priests must work to support themselves. Mosiah 18:18, 20, 24

Alma’s people loved and served one another. They were grateful to have learned about Jesus Christ, their Redeemer. Mosiah 18:29–30

King Noah’s servants secretly watched Alma teaching his people. The king said that Alma was turning the people against him, so he sent an army to kill them. Mosiah 18:32–33

God wanted Alma that King Noah’s army was coming. The people gathered their families, flocks, and other belongings and fled into the wilderness. Mosiah 18:34; 23:1

God gave Alma and his people strength so that they could escape. King Noah’s army searched but could not find them. Mosiah 19:1; 23:2

After eight days of traveling in the wilderness, Alma’s people came to a beautiful land of pure water. They planted crops and built buildings. Mosiah 23:3–5

The people wanted Alma to be their king, but Alma told them that God did not want them to have a king. God wanted them to be free. Mosiah 23:6–7, 13

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson