In the October 1979 general conference, Elder James E. Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve and now second counselor in the First Presidency, said that the process of establishing the Lord's Church encompasses much more than baptizing people.
He referred to the first chapter of Alma for a sequence of events:" `The priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people. . . . And when the priests had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; . . . and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength.
" `And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.' " (Alma 1:26-27.)
Elder Faust noted the process outlined in Alma:
"First, the doctrines are taught. (See v. 26.)
"Second, members esteem each other as themselves. (See v. 26.)
"Third, they all labor; they work and earn that which they receive." (See v. 26.)
"Fourth, they impart of their substance to the less fortunate; they serve one another. (See v. 27.)
"Fifth, they discipline their own appetites while at the same time caring appropriately for their own needs. (See v. 27.)
"Now, listen to the declaration of the prophet:
" `And thus they did establish the affairs of the church. . . .
" `And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceeding rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need.'
"This mighty change happened, not because the people were given things, but rather because they were taught and began to help themselves and to care for those who were less fortunate. It was when they gave of themselves in the Lord's way that their circumstances began to improve."