If Joseph Smith had known the name Alma from his life experiences in upstate New York, it probably would have been as a woman’s name, not a man’s, as it occurs in the Book of Mormon. In recently discovered documents from the Near East, Alma also appears as a Semitic masculine personal name. (See Echoes, 210–211).
“Alma the Elder, Founder of the Church”
Alma the Elder is the inspiring example of a repentant soul and a courageous leader who guides the honest-in-heart into the fold of the Lord. As a member of the court of wicked King Noah, Alma is, by his own words, “caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord” (Mosiah 23:9). However, when the Lord sends Abinadi around 150 b.c.—and again two years later—to warn the people of impending destruction because of their wickedness, Alma “believed the words which Abinadi had spoken” (Mosiah 17:2) and experiences a mighty change of heart. When Alma pleads for the prophet’s release, the king orders Alma’s execution. He flees for his life and secretly gathers together at the Waters of Mormon all those who want to begin a new existence defined by obedience to the principles of the gospel. Having founded the Church among the faithful, Alma leads his followers through the wilderness to escape Lamanite persecution. Because of his valor, he receives a remarkable promise from the Lord: “Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep” (Mosiah 26:20). Eventually Alma and his group find their way to Zarahemla where he continues his inspired ministry among the Saints until his death at age eighty-two (Mosiah 29:45).