Amulon’s Authority
Amulon gained the Lamanite king’s favor. The king put him and his brothers in charge as teachers throughout his territory—in Shemlon, Shilom, and Amulon. The Lamanites now controlled all these lands, and the king had appointed governors over each one. The Lamanite king’s name was Laman, named after his ancestor. He ruled over a vast population. He appointed Amulon’s brothers as teachers throughout all the territories. Through them, the Nephite language began to spread among all the Lamanite people.
They became friendly toward one another. But they didn’t know God. Amulon and his brothers never taught them about the Lord their God, or the law of Moses, or the words Abinadi had spoken. They only taught them to keep records and to write to each other. So the Lamanites grew wealthy. They traded with each other and became prosperous. They grew shrewd and clever in worldly ways—very cunning. They took pleasure in all kinds of evil and robbery, except when it came to their own people.
Persecution and Silent Prayers
Then Amulon began using his authority over Alma and his people. He started persecuting them, and his children persecuted their children. Amulon knew Alma. He remembered that Alma had been one of the king’s priests, that he’d believed Abinadi’s words, and that he’d been driven out by the king. So Amulon was furious with him. Even though Amulon himself answered to King Laman, he still had power over Alma’s people. He forced them into hard labor and set overseers to watch them.
Their suffering became so unbearable that they began crying out to God with all their strength. But Amulon ordered them to stop praying. He posted guards to watch them. Anyone caught calling on God would be executed. So Alma and his people stopped praying aloud. Instead, they poured out their hearts to the Lord silently. And he knew the thoughts of their hearts.
The Lord’s Promise
Then the voice of the Lord came to them in their suffering: “Lift up your heads and take heart. I know the covenant you made with me. I will make a covenant with my people and free you from slavery. I’ll lighten the burdens on your shoulders so much that you won’t even feel them on your backs—even while you’re still in bondage. I’ll do this so you can be witnesses for me, and so you’ll know for certain that I, the Lord God, watch over my people when they suffer.”
The burdens on Alma and his people became light. The Lord strengthened them so they could carry their loads easily. They submitted cheerfully and patiently to everything the Lord allowed. Their faith and patience were so strong that the voice of the Lord came to them again: “Take heart. Tomorrow I will deliver you from bondage.” He told Alma, “You will lead this people, and I will go with you. I will free them from slavery.”
Escape in the Night
That night, Alma and his people gathered their flocks and their grain. All night long they worked, gathering everything together. In the morning, the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall on the Lamanites. All their overseers were in a profound sleep.
Alma and his people escaped into the wilderness. After traveling all day, they set up their tents in a valley. They called it the valley of Alma, because he had led them through the wilderness. In the valley of Alma, they poured out their thanks to God. He had shown them mercy, lightened their burdens, and delivered them from slavery. They had been in bondage, and no one could have freed them except the Lord their God. They gave thanks to God—every man, every woman, and every child who could speak lifted their voices in praise.
Journey to Freedom
Then the Lord said to Alma, “Hurry! Get out of this land. The Lamanites have woken up and are chasing you. Leave now. I’ll stop the Lamanites in this valley so they can’t follow any farther.”
So they left the valley and continued their journey into the wilderness. After twelve days in the wilderness, they arrived in the land of Zarahemla. King Mosiah welcomed them with joy.