Alma sets up some important parallels. The people of Alma the elder, and Limhi, had been in bondage. They had to undergo a significant change of heart, from their past behavior to a new acceptance of the coming Messiah. Then they were saved. Alma intentionally uses the word “saved,” rather than “freed from bondage,” because he is turning that past physical bondage into a metaphor for a current spiritual bondage.
The people of Alma the younger are in spiritual bondage because they have moved away from true principles, and perhaps have moved away from faith in the coming Messiah. They, too, must undergo a significant change of heart to leave behind their previous actions and turn to Jehovah, particularly to Jehovah’s early redemptive mission.
This mighty change alters our natures and even the way we present ourselves to others. To be spiritually born signifies a change. This isn’t the typical Christian born again experience, but rather a conversion of soul that should alter our behavior and our understanding. This question is asked of those who were believers and should be believers still. It is an invitation to a continual conversion.