After Alma's recital to the Ammonihahites of the great rebirth of righteousness that characterized the people in the dominion of Melchizedek, King of Salem, bringing them peace, he implied that the same blessings would come to the people of Ammonihah if they would repent as did Melchizedek's people.
We find here another instance recorded where the Nephites undoubtedly had the Hebrew Scriptures to guide them in their difficulties. The Ammonihahites were thus familiar with the account of Melchizedek, and also with the trials of his people. The Ammonihahites had before them the Scriptures which told of these things. Now, if in their hardheartedness and wilfulness they should twist and turn the meaning of the Scripture doctrine to suit their own wayward purposes, only suffering and eventual death would be their lot. Alma bluntly told the Ammonihahites, "If ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction."