As a way to combat wickedness, Alma appointed a chief judge to take over the temporal affairs of the people, but he kept the office of high priest for himself. He then began preaching, using his testimony to dispel the false doctrines which had been circulating and to teach the people to come unto Christ. 

Alma could see no other way “that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.” Pure testimony can touch hearts, and help us feel the Spirit of the Lord. The spirit of pure testimony can inspire people to change. 

Wilford Woodruff felt this spirit of pure testimony while in Clithero, England, for a conference among the Saints. On May 11, 1845, he recorded, “I blessed the bread and wine & it was administered to the Saints after which the time was tak[en] up by the Brethren & Sisters in bearing testimony of the work of God, & the power of God rested upon the congregation until it melted us into tears. . . . I was so overwhelmed with the spirit & power of God & simplicity of the people I could [scarcely] speak.” 

That is the power of the Spirit when righteous Saints bear testimony. It can inspire us to change, and become better.