The second part of the problem facing Alma was their close proximity to the Lamanites. The “loss on the part of the Nephites” (v. 4) was probably referring to the peace that had just been established between the two groups. The effect the gospel had upon the Lamanites would be threatened by the apostate influence of the Zoramites. The concept of the word of God being more influential than the sword (v. 5, one of the precepts of this reading) had been proven true among the Lamanites, and thus Alma turned to it again.
The seven companions Alma took with him, by way of review, were three of the sons of Mosiah, Amulek, his divinely appointed companion from Ammonihah, Zeezrom, the recent convert, and his two sons (v. 6). Why he left his oldest son at home is not stated. However, a total of eight of them left to go among the Zoramites.