The church and state were still separate institutions although Alma was the head officer of both (v. 42). The account of his reign as chief judge and as the high priest of the church is given in the book of Alma. The death of Alma the elder, founder of the church, and of King Mosiah, son of Benjamin, were spoken of in the Historical Setting at the beginning of this chapter. Alma the elder had been the head of the church for about fifty-five years, from 147 to 91 B.C. (Mosiah 18:16–18; 29:45). Mosiah had been king for over thirty-two years, 124 to 91 B.C. (Mosiah 6:4; 29:45).