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 strengthened the order of the assembly according as he had before done in the land of Zerach’mla, yes, he returned to his own house at Zerach’mla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed. And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nefi.
And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nefi that Alma departed from that place and took his journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Tzidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness. And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the Holy Order of Elohim by which he had been called,50 and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek.
And it came to pass that the people came to him throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side. And they were washed by immersion throughout all the land, so that when he had finished his work at Melek, he departed from there and traveled three days’ journey on the north of the land of Melek; and he came to a city which was called Ammonihah. Now it was the custom of the people of Nefi to call their lands, and their cities, and their villages — yes, even all their small villages — after the name of him 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, he began to preach the word of Elohim unto them. Now HaSatan 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 Elohim in mighty prayer,51 that he would pour out his spirit upon the people who were in the city, that he would also grant that he might immerse them unto repentance. Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto him, Behold, we know that you are Alma; and we know that you are Kohen HaGadol over the assembly which you have established in many parts of the land according to your tradition. And we are not of your assembly, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions. And now we know that because we are not of your assembly, we know that you have no power over us. And you have delivered up the judgment seat unto Nefihah; therefore, you are not the chief judge over us. Now when the people had said this, and had withstood all his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city, he departed from there and took his journey towards the city which was called Aharon.
And it came to pass that while he was journeying there, 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 that while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold, an angel of yhwh appeared unto him, saying, Blessed are you, Alma.52 Therefore, lift up your head and rejoice, for you have great cause to rejoice; for you have been faithful in keeping the mitzvot of Elohim from the time which you received your first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you. And behold, I am sent to command you that you return to the city of Ammonihah and preach again unto the people of the city, yes, preach unto them, yes, say unto them, except they repent Adonai yhwh will destroy them. For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of your people — for thus says yhwh — which is contrary to the statutes and judgments and mitzvot which he has given unto his people.
Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of yhwh, he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yes, by the way which was on the south of the city Ammonihah. And it came to pass that as he entered the city, he was hungry; and he said to a man, Will you give to a humble servant of Elohim something to eat? And the man said unto him, I am a Nefite, and I know that you are a holy prophet of Elohim, for you are the man whom an angel said in a vision, You shall receive. Therefore, go with me into my house, and I will impart unto you of my food. And I know that you will be a blessing unto me and my house. And it came to pass that the man received him into his house. And the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat, and set it before Alma.
And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and he was filled; and he blessed Amulek and his house, and he gave thanks unto Elohim.53 And after he had eaten and was filled, he said unto Amulek, I am Alma, and am the Kohen HaGadol over the assemblies of Elohim throughout the land. And behold, I have been called to preach the word of Elohim 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 for ever. But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn again and prophesy unto this people, yes, and to testify against them concerning their iniquities. And now, Amulek, because you have fed me and took me in, you are blessed; for I was hungry, for I had fasted many days. And Alma remained many days with Amulek before he began to preach unto the people.
And it came to pass that the people did grow more shameful in their iniquities. And the word came to Alma, saying, Go; and also say unto my servant Amulek, Go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying, Repent, for thus says yhwh: Except you repent, I will visit this people in my anger; yes, and I will not turn my fierce anger away. And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of Elohim unto them. And they were filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons, neither was it possible that any man 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 yhwh might show forth his power in them.54
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 yhwh had given them.