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Mosiah II. intensity of affection scarcely equaled in the annals of any race. In the fourth year of his reign the expedition under Ammon started, which resulted in the return to Zarahemla of nearly all the living descendants of the company that left under Zeniff to reoccupy the land of Lehi Nephi. The leader of one of these companies was Alma, the elder, whom Mosiah called to take charge of the church in Zarahemla. Soon after the arrival of these fugitives from the land of Nephi, Mosiah gathered all the people together, and had them made acquainted with the vicissitudes and sorrows through which the new comers had passed since their fathers left Zarahemla. Also taking advantage of the presence of so many of his subjects, he addressed them on such matters as he deemed necessary and desirable. At his request, Alma also taught them. When assembled in large bodies Alma went from one multitude to another, preaching repentance and faith in the Lord; afterwards, by Mosiah's direction, he went through the land, organizing and establishing churches and ordaining priests and teachers over every church. Thus were seven churches established at this time in the land of Zarahemla.

In the course of years, many of the rising generation gave no heed to the word of God. These were mostly such as were too young to enter into covenant with the Lord at the time that Benjamin anointed Mosiah to be his successor. Not only did they themselves reject the doctrines of the atonement, the resurrection and other gospel principles, but they led away many who were members of the Church, and sorely persecuted those who remained faithful to God and His laws. Encouraged by the fact that four of Mosiah's sons, and one of Alma's, were leaders in this crusade, they paid no attention to the national law which guaranteed freedom of conscience to all men alike. By Divine interposition,