Because of all the wars that happened, the Nephites became very humbled. They had lost family members, fields, flocks, and so much more during these wars. This enabled many people to feel the spirit, and 3500 people were baptized and joined the Church. I'd say that's great progress for the size of people that were there.

Over the next couple of years, the Lord blessed the people, but there began to be pride and inequality among the people, to the point where many members of the Church began to become wicked.

"and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress." (Alma 4:10)

I think this is a rather poignant lesson to learn. As members of the Church, we must live the gospel fully. I have seen some examples of the scripture above. I have spoken to people who claim that they don't want to know about the Church because someone who was supposedly a "card-carrying member" had wronged them or at the very least had not been very Christ-like toward them.

This happens for a couple of reasons. One is just plain pride. It could come in the form of "I have more money than you", or even (ironically) "I'm more righteous than you". Another reason is because it's not fully understood. Or perhaps the person is just giving into temptation and being influenced by Satan. Whatever the reason, the wickedness of members of the Church can cause people to fall away or reject it. Thus the Church [begins] to fail in it's progress. That's how it happens overall.

It just underlines the importance of staying true and faithful. When you make covenants, keep them. When you live the gospel, live it fully. Yes, the Lord will bless you. Yes, you will probable even encounter such blessings that you might have the temptation to think you're better than others, or whatever. Just remember, when someone decides not to join or be part of the Church, and you are among the reasons for that decision, you will be held accountable to some degree for that persons choice. 

I want to be on the opposite side of the fence. I want to live my life in such a way that people see me and have desires to join the Church and be blessed the same way I have been blessed, to have the gospel in my life and the direction of the Spirit. I want others to have that too.

We Receive Wages of Whom We List To Obey

"27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges." (Alma 3:27)

They had just lived through what turned out to be a very destructive year. Tens of thousands of souls died that year, and were sent to the eternal realm, whether they were good or bad. There are consequences to all our actions. We never know when this life will come to an end, so we should live each day in such a way that we can expect good "wages". When we "listeth to obey" God, following His commandments, and living a righteous life, we will become heirs to all that He has. That is a pretty good set of wages, I would say. On the other hand, if we "listeth to obey" the world, or really, Satan, we will get a just reward (punishment) for that. It's really pretty straightforward.

Strengthened By The Lord

Alma hadn't been chief judge all that long before Amlici began to stir up the hearts of some of the Nephites to want a king. Specifically, he spent time convincing them that they wanted HIM to be their king. There were enough people that had been convinced of this that there was a vote among the people. Luckily, the majority of people wanted to stick with the judges being in charge rather than a king.

Not to be dissuaded from this endeavor, people that wanted Amlici to be king just separated themselves from the other Nephites, and made him their king, so they became Amlicites.

For his first order of business, Amlici convinced his people to go to war against the Nephites.

"18 Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them." (Alma 2:18)

The Amlicites ran away, and the Nephites chased them. Unfortunately, the Amlicites joined forces with a very large army of Lamanites, so Alma's army went ahead and started to battle with this huge force of people, for the protection of their families and liberties.

At some point, Alma, who was leading his army, became pitted against Amlici.

"30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.

31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword." (Alma 2:30-31)

In both verses, we show that the Lord blesses and strengthens his righteous people.

I believe this to be a very real example of the blessings that come from righteous living. The Lord will protect and strengthen them. We may not be in an actual physical battle with swords and armies, but we are always in a spiritual battle. I think one reason Mormon included this account in the Book of Mormon is to show us that though we may be fighting what appears to be a losing battle, the Lord will strengthen us and help us, if only we are righteous.