RCE Verse Context

44 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him and he said: "Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve Him until you are dead, as to the mortal body; And may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you, And may He grant unto you eternal life through the redemption of Christ which He hath prepared from the foundation of the world."

45 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; And they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.

46 And again, Alma took another and went forth a second time into the water and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.

47 And after this manner he did baptize everyone that went forth to the Place of Mormon, And they were in number about two hundred and four souls,

48 Yea, and they were baptized in the Waters of Mormon and were filled with the grace of God;

50 And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to His church.

51 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests - even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain - To preach unto them and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

52 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.

53 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord who hath redeemed His people.

54 And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, But that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, Having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one toward another;