Rhetoric: This verse serves as Alma’s transition into his lengthy summary and conclusion. First, he declares his authority for speaking sharply by saying he has “spoken according to the commandments of God.” He is referring, not to the scriptures, but to a personal revelation.
Why does Alma wait until this point to declare the divine origin of his instructions? Perhaps his congregation, like Jacob’s, had assembled to hear the “pleasing word of God” (Jacob 2:8) and would not have expected a dramatic delineation of their sins and a stinging chastisement. After calling them to repentance, Alma cites Yahweh’s direct command to him, not only to testify that he has spoken the truth but also to reinforce the point that Yahweh has seen and judged them. He also cites his authority as the chief high priest (“according to the holy order of God”).