“The wars and contentions caused by Amlici and his followers had greatly afflicted the Nephites. The loss of their brethren as casualties in battle, not to mention the destruction of flocks, herds, and crops of grain, caused great mourning among the people. But the destruction had at least one good result: it caused much soul-searching among them, because they all felt that the judgments of God had come upon them because of their wickedness and abominations. For a time the Church grew in size because of numerous baptisms performed under the hands of Alma, who was the high priest and chief ecclesiastical authority among the people” (Sperry, Book of Mormon Compendium, 329).