Social: We are not given the connection that Alma is able to make between the prayer of the Zoramites and the idea that their “hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.” The prayers themselves do not indicate that. What does indicate their economic desires is the nature of the clothing, which is mentioned in verse 28. The prayer itself does not convey their love of riches, but they clothing does, and Alma certainly sees that clothing as the Zoramites individually mount the Rameumptom.
This tells us even more of the nature of the Zoramite community and the function of the prayer upon the Rameumptom. The Zoramites are anti-Nephite, and have selected a location that is bordering a location where there are numerous Lamanites. In the description of the fine clothing we have a repetition of one of the characteristics of the adoption of Lamanite culture among the Nephites. We have previously discussed the meaning of fine clothing. It is a Book of Mormon signal of apostasy because it is the adoption of specific cultural trappings and attitudes that come from the surrounding Lamanite cultures.
In Zoramite society we have the Rameumptom in an open square standing in the center so that when a person mounts the stand they are standing above all of the people in the open area (termed a synagogue). When a person stands upon the Rameumptom he might be better heard because of the height, but we should not forget that the person is also seen. The nature of the Rameumptom is also that a single person at a time might stand there. This gives unique visual presence to the person on the stand. Since all of the people who are on the stand are in the same place, and repeat the same words, the differences between them can become more apparent, especially since these differences are represented in the clothing that they wore. As we have noted, Mesoamerican clothing was a demonstration of status and wealth, and thus the Rameumptom becomes not only a mode of communal unity of religio-political belief, but a display mode to underline status and wealth. It is no wonder that the poor were excluded from this display, as we shall see. Even had they been allowed, they would quickly note that their manner of dress would be insufficient beside the other displays on the stand, and they would elect not to participate.