Alma 10

This is what Amulek said.

“I am Amulek, the son of Giddonah, who was descended from Nephi, who was a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Joseph1 of Egypt. You all know me well. I have many friends and relatives among you. As you know, I’ve worked hard for my prosperity.

“Until now, I have paid very little attention to the mysteries of God. I see now that this was a mistake, because I have seen his power and how he preserves our people. My heart was closed and I couldn’t hear when I was called. I would have continued rebelling against God, except that something happened to me recently when I traveled to see a relative. An angel of God appeared to me and said, ‘Amulek, go back to your home. You need to meet and feed a holy prophet of God, who will come to you. He will be hungry after fasting for many days, and I want you to take him home with you. He will bless you and your home, and the blessings of God will also rest on you and your home.’ On my way back, I found him. He is this man, Alma, who has just spoken to you. I know that he is a holy man because the angel of God told me so. I know what Alma says is true, because God has sent an angel to my home and told me so. Alma has blessed my entire household.”

When Amulek had spoken, the people were astounded to hear that one of their own people validated Alma’s words. There were slick and skillful lawyers among the people who tried to trick Alma and Amulek into saying something incriminating enough to justify imprisonment or death. They wanted to force Alma and Amulek to contradict themselves, and thus to condemn them as liars. Amulek knew their intentions, because he perceived their thoughts. “You are a wicked and perverse generation of people,” he said. “You lawyers and hypocrites are laying the foundation of the devil when you try and set traps to catch God’s holy servants. Your attempts to pervert the ways of righteous people will result in bringing down God’s anger and the destruction of our people.

“Our late King Mosiah foresaw that, if the time came when the people chose sinfulness, they would be ripe for destruction. God says to us through his angels that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and commands us to repent. He will come down to us with justice in his hands. If it were not for the prayers of the righteous among us, we would be destroyed by starvation, disease, and warfare. It is only by the prayers of the righteous that you are spared. If you throw out the righteous among us, nothing can stop God’s anger. Repent, before it is too late.”

“This man violates our laws and slanders the wise lawyers that we have selected,” the people responded angrily.

“How has Satan come to have such a great hold on your hearts?” Amulek asked passionately. “Will you yield to his power and let him blind your eyes? Won’t you please listen to the truth that I’ve spoken? I have not testified against your law, but rather have used it to condemn you. Your sinful lawyers and judges are the very ones who prepare your destruction.”

When Amulek finished, the people cried out against him. “You are a child of the devil,” they said. “You lie to us. You speak against our laws and then deny it. You vilify our esteemed lawyers and judges.”

The offended lawyers marked Amulek’s words. They would be ready to oppose Alma when the opportunity presented itself. These lawyers were looking out for what was good for them, regardless of the truth. Foremost among those to take offense was a man named Zeezrom, who stood to gain the most by Amulek’s demise. [82 BC]