Alma’s solution to this impending religious crisis is to separate once again the positions of government of the land and government of the church, much as happened with his father and King Mosiah.
Alma appoints Nephihah to be the chief judge and Alma retains his position as the chief high priest over the church. Nephihah was therefore to deal with the matters concerning the land, and Alma concentrated on the matters of the soul. The rapid disintegration of the church into the ways of the world prompts this action, and Alma wants to be able to give this problem his full attention.
As noted in the discussion of the voice of the people (see following Alma 2:5), Alma has the power to appoint, but Nephihah still rules according to the voice of the people. Nephihah is appointed, not elected.