Mormon glosses over the moment of arrival before Alma the Elder, and jumps to the ultimate import of the story, which is that Alma recognized in this experience the hand of God, and rejoiced. That ultimate rejoicing, however, was probably preceded by ultimate anguish as seeing his son being carried helpless into his presence. He had to have taken that appearance for its worst possible meaning prior to receiving the explanation.
A great deal of his joy must have come not simply from the recognition of the hand of the Lord, but from the tremendous relief that would have come when he understood that his son was not near death – but, in a very real sense, very near true life.