For unstated reasons, Alma departed out of the land and apparently was “taken up” or translated, as were Enoch (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; D&C 107:49), Melchizedek (JST, Genesis 14:32–34, in Bible appendix), Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5–6), and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11; D&C 110:13) before him, and Nephi (3 Nephi 1:2–3), John (John 21:22; D&C 7:3), and three Nephite apostles (3 Nephi 28:6–8) after him.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions.”61 Thus, the purpose of translated beings is to bless future generations of our Heavenly Father’s children. Alma must have fulfilled such a role.