Alma’s Ministry in Ammonihah

Deliverance from Prison

Alma 14:23–24

The chief judge again returns with many others, smacks them yet again, and challenges them to have their God deliver them.

And it came to pass after they had thus suffered for many days, (and it was on the twelfth day, in the tenth month, in the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi) that the chief judge over the land of Ammonihah and many of their teachers and their lawyers went in unto the prison where Alma and Amulek were bound with cords.

And the chief judge stood before them, and smote them again, and said unto them:

“If ye have the power of God deliver yourselves from these bands, and then we will believe that the Lord will destroy this people according to your words.”

Alma 14:25–26

Everyone takes a turn roughing up Alma and Amulek, then finally Alma and Amulek stand up, praying mightily for deliverance.

And it came to pass that they all went forth and smote them, saying the same words, even until the last; and when the last had spoken unto them the power of God was upon Alma and Amulek, and they rose and stood upon their feet. And Alma cried, saying:

“How long shall we suffer
these great afflictions, O Lord?
o Lord, give us strength
according to our faith
which is in Christ,
even unto deliverance.”

Alma 14:26–27

Alma and Amulek break the ropes that they were tied up with; the earth shakes, and the prison walls fall down, crushing the chief judge and his associates.

And they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them.

And it came to pass that so great was their fear that they fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of the prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof.

Alma 14:28

Alma and Amulek walk away from the prison rubble unhurt.

And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison, and they were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ.

And they straightway came forth out of the prison; and they were loosed from their bands; and the prison had fallen to the earth, and every soul within the walls thereof, save it were Alma and Amulek, was slain; and they straightway came forth into the city.

Alma 14:29

Having heard the noise, many people come to to see what happened, and seeing Alma and Amulek emerge, they run away in fear.

Now the people having heard a great noise came running together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when they saw Alma and Amulek coming forth out of the prison, and the walls thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a goat fleeth with her young from two lions; and thus they did flee from the presence of Alma and Amulek.