These words of Alma's bring to our minds similar words of his intrepid father when in the Land of Helam his followers clamored for him to be their king. The student will recall that Alma, the elder, was commanded of the Lord to gather up the righteous in the Land of Nephi, where many Nephites had emigrated, that they might possess again the land of their father's first inheritance. Under their leader, Zeniff, they became a great and mighty people. Upon Zeniff's death, his son, Noah, became king, and the people were led by him into all manner of iniquities
Alma's father did as he was commanded, and with him several hundred members of Christ's Church, which was established by him, escaped the clutches of wicked King Noah, and journeyed through the wilderness until they came to a suitable spot in which they set up a community that at length prospered far beyond that for which they had hoped. It was then they desired that the elder Alma should be their king. He refused their request, saying:
. . . Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king.
Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king.
But remember the iniquity of King Noah and his priests; and I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance;
Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in His hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of His truth.
Nevertheless, in this I do not glory for I am unworthy to glory of myself. (Mosiah 23:7-11)
Alma's thoughts were like those expressed by Jeremiah who prophesied to the Jews about the same time Father Lehi left Jerusalem, and who, it appears, was personally acquainted with him:
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jer. 9:23-24)
We need only turn back to the account of the mission performed by the sons of King Mosiah. At the conclusion thereof the joy experienced by Ammon and his brethren knew no bounds. Alma took great comfort in the words of Ammon:
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise His Name forever.
Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has He loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of His word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
Yea, we have reason to praise Him forever, for He is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell.
Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, He has brought them into His everlasting light, yea, into everlasting Salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of His love; yea, we have been instruments in His hands of doing this great and marvelous work.
Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of His great power, and of His mercy, and of His long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. (Alma 26:12-16)