Not only did Alma put the Ammonihahites upon firm notice that Salvation's priceless gift, Eternal Life in God's Kingdom, came but to those who forsook evil and resolved forthrightly to sin no more, but he unreservedly declared unto them that the Lord commanded them now to repent. If they rejected His command, and continued their evil ways, then death and destruction were to be their portion. However, the Lord does not desire the death of the sinner, but that the transgressor live and return unto Him. It was for this very reason that Alma had been sent to Ammonihah. His message was Eternal Life, not death. He came to bring Salvation, not destruction. Only as a last resort would the prescribed penalties be meted out because of their iniquities; God's love for His children stayed His hand. But, none the less, if continued rebellion against His laws prevailed as in the past, then, Alma said that God would not turn away from His fierce anger.
We must conclude that if the Ammonihahites had but striven to do His will, no matter how feebly, God would have fulfilled in their behalf the words of Isaiah:
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:29)