Alma 1:17

Nevertheless they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief: and now the law could have no power on any man for their belief.

But they did not lie openly because they were afraid of the law. Liars were punished. So they pretended to teach what they believed. The law could not punish people for what they believed.

Still, they didn’t dare lie openly—liars were punished under the law. So they claimed to preach what they truly believed. And the law couldn’t punish someone just for their beliefs.