The battle between good and evil continues. In the city of Ammonihah, Satan is winning (v. 9). Alma’s prayers (v. 10) were undoubtedly answered, but the people hardened their hearts (v. 11). When the truth is made plain, the people have to accept the truth or harden their hearts against it (see HC, 4:263–64). Their response to Alma shows that Satan had great influence over them. They rejected Alma’s message on two counts: first, they were not members of the church he represented, and second, he had no power over them politically since he handed the government reigns to Nephihah (v. 12). Furthermore, they rejected Alma with verbal and physical abuse. Defeated and, undoubtedly, discouraged, he headed towards the city of Aaron (v. 13).