Of What Fold are Ye?

"And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye?" (Alma 5:39)
Years before Alma the Younger, as High Priest, posed this question to the people in Zarahemla he himself was a sheep of a very different fold. He is described in Mosiah 27 as being wicked and idolatrous, "stealing away the hearts of the people.... giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise power over them." 
So, what changed for Alma the Younger? What pushed him toward repentance and a desire to be numbered among the sheep of the good shepherd? 
We know he, along with the sons of Mosiah, were visited by an angel, but his transformation wasn't as simple as that. 
Firstly, we know that his father never gave up hope that his son would return to the fold. I believe he "spoke plainly" to Alma about the gospel even at the height of his son's wickedness. In Alma 36:17 Years after the angel appeared, Alma the Younger himself explains to his son that he remembered the words of his father, testifying of, "the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world." This memory allowed him to cling to the idea of repentance and a hope for a better life. 
Our kids are listening even if we can't tell and sometimes when they don't even know it themselves. Our diligence in teaching the gospel, speaking plainly of God's commandments, won't be for naught. 
Two, Alma the Younger wasn't visited by an angel based upon his own merits. He wasn't granted this rare appointment because he was special. The angel said to Alma that he had come to, "convince thee (him) of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith." (Mosiah 27:14) The angel appeared to Alma and the sons of Mosiah because of the prayers of the righteous on their behalf. The prayers of their parents, brothers, sisters, family and friends. Alma was blessed with this mighty life changing event because of the prayers of the faithful centered around him. He was also granted this gift due to the mercy of the Lord. Alma gave full credit to Him when he said, "the Lord in his mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.
Finally, Alma the Younger didn't hold on to this one testimony building moment and then lean back in his recliner to take a breather, giving someone else the opportunity to share the blessings of the gospel. The scriptures say "And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people.... traveling round about through out the land.... preaching the word of God." (Mosiah 27:32)
Alma the Younger continued to LIVE the gospel the remainder of his days. This is what fortified him in sustaining his great transformation for life. This is why He knew how glorious it was to be a sheep, being watched over by the good shepherd.

I hope we all desire to be sheep of the good shepherd because -

"And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye?" (Alma 5:39)