We can certainly learn many things about Alma’s character and personality from this beautiful spiritual expression.
For example, as always, Alma was not timid. He was a man of conviction. He wanted the people to repent and to come unto “our God.” He was not apologetic about his deepest wish. He knew what he knew, and he wanted people to come to his side.
Alma was not doubtful. He testified using the words “I know …” frequently. He knew whereof he spoke. He was a man of testimony.
He went on to say things like, “I know that God has granted man their agency, I know that there is a plan, that they should be able to choose.” His deepest motivation was “that there might not be more sorrow upon the face of the earth” (29:2). He was a compassionate man; he did not want these things for himself. The one wish of his heart was righteousness and benefits for all people.
He accepted God’s decrees. He was content with his assignment in life. He not only accepted but gloried in what he had been commanded to do.
He knows how to have joy: to be grateful for God’s mercies, to remember the deliverances (not the deaths), and to be happiest for the success of others.
Finally, Alma was a generous soul. The way he spoke of his joy is inspiring. His joy for other people took him even beyond his body to being overwhelmed (29:16). He was happy with his own success, but often when people have success in this competitive world, they hope that the competition does not succeed too much. That was not the way with Alma.
One can imagine that Alma realized the difficult choices made by the converts that Ammon brought back with him. Consider also the sacrifices of the four sons of Mosiah, who were gone for fourteen years as missionaries. There is never any mention anywhere in the Book of Mormon of any sons of Ammon, or of Aaron, Omner, or Himni, and there is not even an indication that they were ever married. How long they lived after their return is not recorded. Life expectancy was not very long in those days. They must have made some serious sacrifices in that matter, but Alma rejoiced for them even more than for himself. Such selflessness is characteristic of Alma. His soliloquy here is a genuine expression of his desire to bless others.