18:3 And ass=hlgree>as many ass=hlgree>as would hear his word he did teach. And he taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the king. And many did believe his words.

 18:4 And it came to pass that ass=hlgree>as many ass=hlgree>as did believe him did go forth to a place which wass=hlblue>as called Mormon, having received its name from the king, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts.

 18:5 Now, there wass=hlblue>as in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king.

 18:6 And it came to pass that ass=hlgree>as many ass=hlgree>as believed him went thither to hear his words.

 18:7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.

 18:8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, ass=hlgree>as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;

 18:9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand ass=hlgree>as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--

 18:10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, ass=hlgree>as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

 18:11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

 18:12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart.

 18:13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord wass=hlblue>as upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, ass=hlgree>as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead ass=hlgree>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, whom he hass=hlblue>as prepared from the foundation of the world.