Alma’s born again experience is now recounted to Helaman. King Benjamin had earlier described the born again experience of his subjects (see Mosiah 5:2–8). Enos had likewise given us his experience (see Enos 1:2–8). Nephi, son of Lehi, as he finished his record, had also described the experience as part of the doctrine of Christ (see 2 Nephi 31:12–21). Alma referred back to the original account as he instructed Helaman, to which we will cross reference. While all of these accounts are unique in some ways, they also have many similarities. Just as each mortal birth is a little different so is each born again experience, but both have essential factors. We will equate Alma’s experience with some of the ones mentioned above.
The account given in the above verses is essentially the same as Mosiah 27:8–31. A few more details are given in the Mosiah account. It adds that Alma and the sons of Mosiah were going about “secretly” to destroy the church (Mosiah 27:10). The Mosiah account notes that the angel “ascended as it were in a cloud” (Mosiah 27:11), and gives more of the angels actual words. The angel appeared because of the prayers of Alma’s father, and he came to convince Alma of the power and authority of God (Mosiah 27:14). The angel also asked if Alma could dispute the power of God when the voice of the angel shook the earth, and Alma beheld the angel. The angel then declared he was from God (Mosiah 27:15). The angel also reminded Alma of the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam and how they were delivered (Mosiah 27:16; see Mosiah 23). The three days and three nights of Alma being unconscious (Alma 36) does not contradict Mosiah 27:23, which states that Alma’s father and the priests fasted for two days and two nights. Alma the elder had gathered his people during the first day, and began the fast on the second day (see Mosiah 27:19–22). Alma’s account to Helaman adds that his brethren, the sons of Mosiah, heard many words that Helaman did not hear because of his amazement over the angel’s words (Alma 36:11). The brevity of Alma’s account is understandable since he wanted to focus on his rebirth experience that follows.