Although, during the fifth year of Alma's reign as Chief Judge, the Nephites, who were led by him, gained a great military victory over the combined forces of the rebellious Amlicites and the bloodthirsty Lamanites, and, although, throughout the sixth year contentions and warfare troubled the people of Zarahemla no more, there still was long continued mourning and sorrow in all the land.
The great losses sustained by the Nephites in war, not of warriors alone, but of women and children, together with the vast amount of their property which was destroyed, had the effect of humbling them and softening their wayward hearts, so that many thousands during the next few years were added to the Church. It is recorded that in the next, or, seventh year 3,500 souls "united themselves to the Church of God and were baptized."
The Church, under the divinely inspired leadership of Alma, who was its Presiding High Priest, or the President of the Church, was more fully established in every Branch throughout the nation. Teachers, priests, and elders were consecrated to administer the sacred ordinances of the Church to all who believed and who took upon themselves the name of Christ.
On the banks of the River Sidon which flowed down the eastern borders of their Capital City, Zarahemla, the believing Nephites congregated to pledge, some anew, some fully repentant, but all in the joyous hope of life everlasting, their fealty to God by entering the sin-cleansing waters of baptism. Alma, the younger, who received the Holy Priesthood "by the hand of his father Alma," presided at these gatherings and each recipient of the sacred ordinance joined the others there in taking upon themselves the blessed name of Christ and covenanting with the Lord that they would ever after serve Him and Keep His commandments.
The new converts then departed for their own abodes, and took with them the "glad tidings" of the promised Messiah, their Lord and God, whose coming was "not far distant."
The natural consequence of this outpouring of the Spirit, together with the holy fervor the faithful showed, was continual peace among them. It brought prosperity into the homes of the believers which was made all the more joyous by bringing with it, life's "purest happiness and its greatest satisfaction."