We have already noticed some subtle differences between the baptism of Helam and our current practice. Hidden in verse 14 is another difference. After baptism, Alma and Helam are filled with the Spirit. This occurs without the ordinance of the laying on of hands. There is no record of Alma ever laying hands on his disciples to give them the gift of the Holy Ghost. In fact, there is no record of this ordinance in the Old Testament, Pearl of Great Price, or the Book of Mormon prior to the ministry of the Savior. Yet, from several scriptures, we know that they received the gift of the Holy Ghost (Alma 9:21, Jacob 6:8). The gift is given at the time of baptism, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31:12). This is what happened to Alma and Helam. They were given the gift of the Holy Ghost after they were baptized.
One might argue that the Spirit attended their baptism but that the ordinance of the laying on of hands was performed later. There is no scriptural evidence for this theory. In Old Testament times, the Lord apparently gave the gift of the Holy Ghost at the time of baptism. The Lord said as much to Nephi, and this is what happened to Adam. The Lord promised him that he would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after his baptism, If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water…ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Moses 6:52). The fulfillment of the promise is as follows:
’Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.
And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.
And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever’ (Moses 6:64-6)
On the other hand, John the Baptist was clear to point out that his baptism did not include the gift of the Holy Ghost, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matt 3:11). We should not find this surprising since John held the Levitical priesthood which lacked the power to give the Holy Ghost. Alma and all the Nephite prophets held the Melchizedek Priesthood and the baptism administered could be accompanied by the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Joseph Fielding Smith
"It is true that the Lord gave the commandment to Joseph Smith that those who are baptized for the remission of sins shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and this is the practice in the Church. This does not prove, however, that the gift of the Holy Ghost may not be received without the laying on of the hands, although we assume that this was the general custom of the Church in ancient days.
“When certain disciples were brought to Paul at Corinth who claimed that they had been baptized, he asked them the question: ’Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?’ Their answer was: ’We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.’ Paul then asked: ’Unto what then were ye baptized?’ they answered, ‘Unto John’s baptism.’ Paul realized from this answer that there was something wrong, therefore he had them baptized again, after which he laid his hands upon them and conferred the Holy Ghost. This, however, may not have been the universal custom through the ages.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 4, p. 93)