Alma 4: 16-20

How can we serve others in the best way possible?

"16 And he selected a wise man who was among the elders of the church, and gave him power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws according to the laws which had been given, and to put them in force according to the wickedness and the crimes of the people.

17 Now this man’s name was Nephihah, and he was appointed chief judge; and he sat in the judgment-seat to judge and to govern the people.

18 Now Alma did not grant unto him the office of being high priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest unto himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah.

19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.

20 And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy." (Alma 4: 6-20)

And here's the 2nd part of the commentary entitled: "My example and testimony can change hearts." : 

"Some might say that Alma, as chief judge, was the best person to solve these problems. But Alma felt there was a better way. As you read verses 16–20, what impresses you about his approach to helping his people?"

What impresses me about Alma's approach is that he acknowledged that there is someone else who could help his people as chief judge and gave him that authority while he retained the office of being high priest over the church and focused on helping the people spiritually. Alma did lose himself in service to others this way. The welfare of people's souls was more important to him than the power and honor of holding the highest leadership position in the land.