As Amulon knew that Alma had once been a priest of Noah and had believed in the words of Abinadi, he began to put tasks upon Alma’s people and placed taskmasters over them (vv. 8–9). As Alma had previously admonished his people to do, they turned to God and began to cry mightily (v. 10). Amulon commanded them to stop such crying and placed guards over them to prevent it. Alma’s people then secretly poured out their hearts to the Lord their God and, God did know the thoughts of their hearts (vv. 10–11). They certainly had put their trust in him. He rewarded that trust with an acknowledgment of their covenant to him and his covenant to deliver them from bondage (v. 13). They had served him in accordance with their covenant. He in return promised to ease their burdens insomuch that they would not feel them. The burdens being lightened was be a witness to them and to others that the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions (v. 14).The Lord fulfilled his promise, as he always does, and strengthened them to bear up their burdens. They submitted cheerfully, and with patience, to the will of the Lord (v. 15).