Learning about Alma Sr.

We know he was a young wicked priest in the court of King Noah. He must have had the priesthood even though he was wicked. His heart was touched by the teachings of Abinadi. He says in Mosiah 23:9 that he had been "caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused...sore repentance."

Maybe Alma is the priest on the right because he looks fairly young.

But once his heart was touched, he spoke up in support of Abinadi, which angered the king and resulted in death threats. So Alma fled for his life. He hid several days and wrote down what he remembered of Abinadi's teachings. I doubt he engraved it for that would have taken longer. He sneaked out of hiding and taught the people "privately" and many believed. He hid in the forest around the waters of Mormon and taught and baptized when he had a chance.

Thanks to Friberg for the artwork.

When they were discovered by the king's people and an army came after them, they fled into the wilderness, over 400 in number (a good sized ward). He led the church, eventually arriving in Zarahemla where he died an old man (82) after conferring the office of high priest to his son, Alma, who had gone through his own mighty conversion.