Amulon Becomes a Trial to Alma

After the Lamanites had taken over all these lands, the Lamanite king appointed kings within them. Amulon gained favor in the eyes of the Lamanite king, who appointed him and his men to be teachers over the Lamanites in the lands of Shemlon, Shilom and Amulon. In addition to being a teacher, Amulon was made king and ruler over Alma’s people in Helam. However, Amulon was not allowed do anything against the Lamanite king’s will.

The Lamanite king, Laman, was named after his father, and he ruled over many people. Because King Laman had appointed Amulon and his men to be teachers in every Lamanite land, the Nephite language began to be taught among all the Lamanites.

The Lamanites were friendly with each other, but they knew nothing about God. Amulon and his men did not enlighten them by teaching them of the Lord, or about the law of Moses, or Abinadi’s words. They only taught them how to keep records and write letters.

With this new skill in communications, the Lamanites started a trading system among their cities. They grew richer and began to be cunning and wise as to the wisdom of the world. They delighted in all types of wickedness and plunder, except among their relatives.

Meanwhile, Amulon began to use authority over Alma and his people in the city of Helam. He persecuted Alma’s people and encouraged his children to persecute their children.

Having been one of King Noah’s priests, Amulon knew Alma. He remembered that Alma had believed Abinadi and had been thrown out. Amulon was angry with Alma because he was subject to King Laman himself. In his anger, Amulon exercised authority over Alma’s people and put taskmasters over them.

Alma’s people became so afflicted that they cried mightily to God. Then Amulon ordered them to stop their cries. He put guards over them with orders to kill anyone found calling upon God. So Alma and his people stopped raising their voices to the Lord their God, but they still poured their hearts out to Him, and God knew the thoughts of their hearts.

Then the Lord’s voice came to Alma’s people in their afflictions, “Lift up your heads and be comforted, for I remember the covenant you made with me. I will covenant with you, my people, and deliver you out of bondage. I will also ease the burdens on your shoulders so you will not feel them in your bondage. I will do this so that you may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, knowing without a doubt that I, the Lord God, visit my people in their trials.”

Then the burdens on Alma and his brethren were made light. The Lord strengthened them to bear their burdens easily, and with patience they cheerfully submitted to His will.

Their faith and patience was so great that the Lord’s voice came to them again, and said, “Be comforted, for tomorrow I will deliver you out of bondage.” And the Lord said to Alma, “You will lead this people, and I will go with you and deliver them out of bondage.”

All that night, Alma and his people gathered their flocks and grain. And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come over the Lamanite taskmasters.

Then Alma and his people departed into the wilderness. After traveling all day, they pitched their tents in a valley. They called it the valley of Alma because he had led them there. In that valley, they poured out their thanks to God for being merciful to them, for easing their burdens, and for delivering them out of bondage. They knew that no one but the Lord their God could have delivered them. And every man, woman, and child that could speak lifted up their voice in praises to their God.

Then the Lord said to Alma, “Hurry and get this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and are pursuing you. I will stop them in this valley.” Then Alma and his people left the valley and continued their journey. After twelve days in the wilderness, they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, and King Mosiah received them with joy.