Rhetoric: Each of the three concepts in this sentence becomes an important point in Alma’s sermon. Alma intends to draw parallels between this people and his father’s church by the Waters of Mormon. First, those Nephites were in bondage to the Lamanites. Nehorism followed Lamanite social philosophy and attempted to establish the same types of changes that Noah had made in Lehi-Nephi. (See “Excursus: Religion of the Nehors,” following Alma 1.) Alma here reminds his congregation that the current contentions with the order of the Nehors would lead to a similar bondage.
Second, Yahweh’s power delivered Alma’s father’s people from Lamanite bondage. Alma2 wanted to emphasize the power of faith and Yahweh’s power to deliver, logically suggesting that Yahweh’s power will also resolve their current situation.
Third, Alma’s father’s converts came to Zarahemla and established “the church of God,” of which his listeners are members. This statement forcefully brings history into the present. Symbolically, the current church will have the same option as that earlier church, and it, too, may be delivered by Yahweh’s word.