Alma does not leave the people with simply the request that they repent, but with instructions on how to do it.
[humble yourselves] This is the essential first step. Humility requires that we see ourselves against the measuring bar of the gospel, and clearly see that we do not reach that bar. Seeing the difference in where we are and where we want to be is the first step. The danger in this step is that there are two possible human reactions to such a gap. The first is denial. That denial may be as mild as the making of excuses, or the creation of self-justifications. That denial may become as extreme as anger and violence that can be directed at the agency that showed us the difference. We will see this reaction from many of the Ammonihahites.
The proper reaction to seeing the difference is to be humble, which includes the ability to be willing to change, to admit that we are mistaken, and that it is we who must change, and not the gospel, or the person who shows it to us.
[call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually] The process of repentance is not a solo journey. It is a road we walk with our hand in the Savior's. We call on his name. This is not simply a wordy prayer, but the ancient conception of the power of the name. The calling on his name invokes his presence in our lives. We are not to simply request an affidavit of forgiveness, but the comforting blessing of the Atonement in our lives. We pray continually for that blessing, and we watch continually that we see to true road to follow.
[that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear] This is an important issue. Although we desire to repent, and we begin the process, that does not mean that the temptations cease and that all becomes simple. There is no promise that the road to heaven is easy. There is no promise that the process of repentance comes without effort. Indeed, the promise is that the process will require a transformation in us. There will continue to be temptations, but it is through learning to resist those temptations that we are able become stronger, until we can be as those Alma has cited: "Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence…" (Alma 13:12).
While Alma's invocation of the need to be continually wary appears to include the possibility that we might be tempted greater than we can bear, we are yet assured that this is not so. Paul tells us:
1 Cor. 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Paul recognizes that temptation is part and parcel of the human experience, but promises that we will not be tempted above our capacity to resist. With every temptation will come "a way to escape." There will be a way that we can resist. Should we ever succumb to temptation, it will always be our own fault. We may never lay the blame at the feet of a God who allowed an overwhelming temptation. We may only accept the fault ourselves, and repent of it ourselves.
[and thus be led by the Holy Spirit] The effect of our pleading with God will be the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the Comforter. This is the close and intimate presence of the goodness of God that can uphold us through our weaknesses. The effect of the Spirit on our lives leads to the final concluding phrases of this verse:
[becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering] These are the effects of the Spirit upon us. Ironically, we must begin the process of humility so that we might gain more. However, we should not presume that this is a lineal process, where we must be self-humble before the Spirit will assist us. The Spirit stands at the ready, and as we begin to be humble, that humility is strengthened by the Spirit. It leads to meekness and submission. These are not the traits of a weak character, but rather the traits of one who is submitting to the greater understanding of the Gospel. As we repent, the Spirit is more strongly with us and leads us to desire greater understanding. The reward of humility before the Spirit is more humility before the Spirit, and an increase in the outpouring of the knowledge of the ways of God that come from the Spirit.