Alma now sets up the more direct comparison between this people and the priesthood. He again appeals to ancient authority, using the name of Melchizedek. He does not tell the people to become as Melchizedek, but as the people in the days of Melchizedek. Alma understands that not all will become priests, but he wants to establish a current relationship between people and priesthood that is modeled on the ancient one of the people of Melchizedek and Melchizedek as priest. Of course the current model would be the people of Ammonihah and Alma as the current Melchizedek figure.