Alma was a sick man. He was severely wounded in the war with the Lamanites and then he went through starvation and torture at the hands of the demons who were the rulers of Ammonihah. He enjoyed nearly two years of peace, but Korihor had created a certain amount of havoc among the members of the Church in Zarahemla, which had been a great trial to Alma. Now he feels compelled to challenge the Zoramites. It was almost more than he could bear and so he cried out to the Lord.