Politically and spiritually speaking there was no more essential and valuable personality among all the Nephites than Alma. He was chief judge, president of the Church, custodian of the sacred Nephite records, official historian, prophet, seer, and revelator. As chief judge he could have appointed anyone to be commander of the army. But he did not. He volunteered to become commander in chief of the Nephite armies himself. Fortunately he was in the prime of life, but in those days a commander did not send forth the troops. He led them. And the battle was fought in hand to hand combat. What a fantastic assignment for a prophet of God!