Alma Chapter 8

And now it came to pass that Alma returned from the land of Gideon, after having taught the people of Gideon many things which cannot be written, having established the order of the church, according as she had before done in the land of Zarahemla, yea, she returned to her own house at Zarahemla to rest herself from the labors which she had performed. And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.

And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, that Alma departed from thence and took her journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness. And she began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the holy order of Goddess, by which she had been called; and she began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek.

And it came to pass that the people came to her throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side. And they were baptized throughout all the land; So that when she had finished her work at Melek she departed thence, and traveled three days’ journey on the north of the land of Melek; and she came to a city which was called Ammonihah.

Now it was the custom of the people of Nephie to call their lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all their small villages, after the name of her who first possessed them; and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah. And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of Ammonihah she began to preach the word of Goddess unto them.

Now Lilith had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma. Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with Goddess in mighty prayer, that she would pour out her Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that she would also grant that she might baptize them unto repentance.

Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto her: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priestess over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions. And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephiha; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.

Now when the people had said this, and withstood all her words, and reviled her, and spit upon her, and caused that she should be cast out of their city, she departed thence and took her journey towards the city which was called Erin. And it came to pass that while she was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lady appeared unto her, saying: Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of Goddess from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from her. Behold, I am she that delivered it unto you.

And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lady Goddess will destroy them. For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lady) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which she has given unto her people.

Now it came to pass that after Alma had received her message from the angel of the Lady she returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And she entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah. And as she entered the city she was an hungered, and she said to a woman: Will ye give to an humble servant of Goddess something to eat? And the woman said unto her: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophetess of Goddess, for thou art the woman whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.

And it came to pass that the woman received her into her house; and the woman was called Amuleque; and she brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma. And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was filled; and she blessed Amuleque and her house, and she gave thanks unto Goddess. And after she had eaten and was filled she said unto Amuleque: I am Alma, and am the high priestess over the church of Goddess throughout the land.

And behold, I have been called to preach the word of Goddess among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy; and I was in this land and they would not receive me, but they cast me out and I was about to set my back towards this land forever. But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn again and prophesy unto this people, yea, and to testify against them concerning their iniquities.

And now, Amuleque, because thou hast fed me and taken me in, thou art blessed; for I was an hungered, for I had fasted many days. And Alma tarried many days with Amuleque before she began to preach unto the people.

And it came to pass that the people did wax more gross in their iniquities. And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amuleque, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lady, except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away. And Alma went forth, and also Amuleque, among the people, to declare the words of Goddess unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any woman could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lady might show forth her power in them.

And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and power which the Lady had given them.