Alma is in unprecedented waters here.
This is the first time in the Book of Mormon that there is a division between the government of the community and the head of the official religion of the community. Mosiah has reinforced that division by requiring Alma to resolve the problem. Alma doe not know how to handle the problem, so he does what a good religious leader should do, he takes the problem to Heavenly Father. To his inquiry he receives an answer that will comprise verses 15- 32 of this chapter.