Alma proceeded to make plain the truths of Salvation. He called upon his then lately deceased father, the elder Alma, to testify to the truth of what he was about to say. All in the congregation assembled there remembered his father and knew him to be a just and trustworthy person. The younger Alma rejoiced in the words of Abinadi in which his father had believed. Alma I had accepted as being true the things which he heard the Prophet declare, and with gladness of heart, and boldly, he went to King Noah to persuade that monarch, also, to believe them. Noah became very wroth with Alma, and sought the young priest's life. Though surrounded by a wanton disregard of truth, and an unrestrained wickedness which would not hesitate to claim it, Alma's father had offered his life in defense of God's Prophet. No greater proof of his convictions could the elder Alma show, no better witness to the truth of the Prophet's words could his son present. Abinadi was a Prophet of God; the elder Alma knew it and so did his son.
There was a mighty change wrought in his father's heart. Alma, himself, testified that all this was true; the bands of death were broken, and the chains of hell were loosed. This knowledge renewed in Alma a steadfast spirit and a clean heart. Like his father he was enlightened by God's wisdom and was sustained by His power. From the first, when he heard Abinadi, Alma I resolved to put aside the base desires of his heart and then, ever after, in meekness, serve the Lord.
The heart is said to be the seat of spiritual light; the source whence springs our love and our devotion, our likes and dislikes, our joys and our sorrows, and our loyalty and fidelity.
By the preaching of the word, a mighty change was also wrought in the hearts of the people of Lehi-Nephi. From the time at Mormon, when, under God, Alma I established the Kingdom, or the Church of Christ, he had continually preached God's holy word to his faithful followers. Also, at the end of his long journey through the untracked wilderness of the Land of Nephi, when he led his persecuted but faithful people to Zarahemla where the main body of the Nephites dwelt, Alma, without rest, went forth, as directed by King Mosiah, and bore witness of Christ's atoning Sacrifice. Alma went from city to city, and from village to village, throughout the whole land proclaiming the coming of the Redeemer whose advent was not far distant. (See Alma 7:7) He was filled with such power from On High that the might of his testimony prevailed over all doubt and uncertainty in the hearts of all who heard him. By preaching God's holy word a great change was wrought in the hearts of their fathers; their fathers trusted in God, and humbled themselves before him. They continued all their remaining days to do good. "Therefore," Alma, in solemn restrospect, said, "They were saved." (See COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF MORMON, Volume II, p. 79; also p. 82, v. 12)