When the Lamanite army came upon the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, they began to slaughter their brethren. It is interesting, then to look at the effect of this atrocious act on the perpetrators themselves. We have already discussed the group which were stung for their murders (Alma 24:25). They threw down their weapons and converted on the spot.
A second Lamanite group responded in anger. Their fury was exacted upon the people of Ammonihah. However, subsequent battles with the Nephites humbled them. They began to wonder how it was that the Nephites could be so powerful in battle—as if the Great Spirit were protecting them. The result was that they remembered the preaching of Aaron and Ammon and began to disbelieve the traditions of their fathers. This shows how far-reaching the missionary efforts of the sons of Mosiah were. The sower of the seed never knows when the seed will take sprout. Often the seed lays dormant until the great Gardener gives the increase. In this case, Ammon planted, Aaron watered; but God gave the increase (1 Cor 3:6). It also shows the power of the missionary act of the slaughtered Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Their willingness to die for the truth was an act of missionary work, for thousands were brought to the knowledge of the truth by their integrity and courage.
The third group which took part in the vicious attack were the Amulonites and Amalekites. These dissenters had no remorse. They were not stung by the murder of the Lamanites. They were not influenced by the teaching of the sons of Mosiah (Alma 23:14). They did not attribute the military successes of the Nephites to the power of God. They were leaders among the Lamanites but had no love for them. Rather, as soon as these Lamanites began to believe in the traditions of the Nephites, the Amulonites had them killed. These wicked descendants of the priests of Noah were without conscience. They would kill Nephites and Lamanites indiscriminately, especially if they believed in God and the coming of his Son. It is hard to find examples of people whose hearts were harder or necks were stiffer than these wicked men.