The People of Gideon were the Nephites of the church established in the land of Gideon, a valley and city east of the river Sidon named after the man Gideon, who was slain by the sword of Nehor (Alma 6:7; Alma 1:8-9). Alma², having handed the judgment-seat to another, came to them and declared the word of God to the church there (Alma 6:8; Alma 7:1-2).
In that sermon Alma told them that the Redeemer would come among his people, born of Mary at Jerusalem (Alma 7:7-10). He taught that Christ would suffer pains, afflictions, and temptations of every kind, take upon him the sicknesses and infirmities of his people, take upon him death to loose the bands of death that bind them, and take upon him their sins to blot out their transgressions, so that he might know how to succor his people according to their infirmities (Alma 7:11-13).