All humankind needs the power of repentance in their lives. Even though the people in Gideon had not suffered the dramatic apostasies of those in Zarahemla, the Spirit tells Alma to “Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye.” The difference is not in the need for continual repentance and efforts to improve, but in the types of changes that are required for progress. Zarahemla needed to return to the path. Gideon needs to continue in the path.
The nature of what is taught is therefore dramatically different. Where Zarahemla’s task was to understand their own failure to believe in the coming Messiah, the people of Gideon were in a position to learn and understand more of that same coming Messiah. Thus, they also learn that the coming atoning Messiah would redeem us by taking upon himself our pains and sicknesses, but would also take upon himself death. He would overcome all of those conditions and redeem us from sin and from death.
The people in Gideon were ready to learn that the atoning mission of the Messiah would not only redeem them from sin and death, but also succor them. Theirs would not be a God of an event, but one of continual presence and assistance in this life.