Alma is condensing the history of his father and his fleeing congregation. Again the details are in Mosiah, chapter 23. Alma and his people fled into the wilderness eight days and established a prosperous community which they named Helam. The army had also found the wicked priests of King Noah whose leader was Amulon, Alma's worst enemy. Alma and his people were put under bondage. However the Lord subjected the guards to a deep sleep and told Alma to flee quickly toward Zarahemla, which he did. The elder Alma was welcomed in Zarahemla and invited to set up the Church of Christ throughout the land. Of course, at the time we are now discussing, the Church in Zarahemla was in an explosive crisis, so Alma asks the members of the Church to conscientiously answer the following 45 questions.