Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
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6 And now it came to pass that after Alma had made an end of speaking unto the people of the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, he ordained priests and elders by laying on his hands, according to the order of God, to preside and watch over the church. 2 And it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church, who repented of their sins, were baptized unto repentance and were received into the church. 3 And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church, that did not repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before God (I mean those who were lifted up in the pride of their hearts), the same were rejected and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous. 4 And thus they began to establish the order of the church in the city of Zarahemla. 5 Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God. 6 Nevertheless, the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.
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6 After Alma had finished speaking to the congregation established in Zarahemla, he ordained priests and elders by placing his hands on them and ordaining them, according to God’s Order, to protect and watch over the congregation. 2 Those who didn’t belong to the congregation and repented of their sins were baptized as a sign of repentance and received into the congregation. 3 And those who belonged to the congregation and didn’t repent of their sins and humble themselves before God (meaning those who were filled with pride to their core) were rejected and their names were erased, so they weren’t included among those of the righteous. 4 This is how they began to establish order in the congregation in Zarahemla. 5 Now I want you to understand that God’s word was freely available to everyone, so no one was deprived of the privilege of assembling to hear God’s word. 6 Nevertheless, God’s children were commanded to gather often and to join in fasting and humble prayer on behalf of the well-being of those souls who didn’t know God.
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7 And now it came to pass that when Alma had made these regulations, he departed from them — yea, from the church which was in the city of Zarahemla — and went over upon the east of the river Sidon into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city built which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that was called Gideon, being called after the man who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword. 8 And Alma went and began to declare the word of God unto the church which was established in the valley of Gideon, according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was in him — according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who should come to redeem his people from their sins — and the Holy Order by which he was called. And thus it is written. Amen.
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7 When Alma had delivered these instructions, he left them — that is, the congregation in the city of Zarahemla — and went over to the east of the Sidon River into the valley of Gideon, where a city had been built called Gideon. It was located in the valley called Gideon, named after the man who had been killed with a sword by Nehor. 8 So Alma went to declare God’s word to the congregation established in the valley of Gideon. He went to teach the revealed truth spoken by his fathers. And to follow the spirit of prophecy that was in him. Testifying of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who would redeem His people from their sins. This followed the Holy Order in which he had been called to serve. That is according to the written record. Amen.