We are not told just how long Alma continued his labors in the Land of Melek, but as he was satisfied with the fruits of his work there, he again departed this time to the City of Ammonihah which lay three days' journey farther to the northwest.
There Alma found a godless people, filled with the falsehoods of Nehor, and committing all manner of abominations without any sign of repentance, because they cherished the flattering lie, as was the foundation of their creed, that all men would be saved. This city was in the hands of a corrupt clique of judges and lawyers, who stirred up sedition, tumult and rioting, that they might make money out of the conditions that followed such disturbances. Further than that they were secretly plotting to overthrow the government, and rob the people of their highly prized liberties.
Ammonihah, City of. A western city of the Nephites situated in the same region as the cities of Melek, Noah, and Aaron. It was inhabited almost exclusively by the followers of Nehor, and was notorious for the wickedness of its citizens. In the year 82 B.C. it was visited by Alma but his words were rejected. He left the city to minister elsewhere, but was commanded by an angel to return, which he did and was entertained by one of its prominent citizens named Amulek. Together these two proclaimed the Word of the Lord to the people of Ammonihah, and also the terrible penalty which would follow its rejection. Their words were scorned, their warning ridiculed, and they were cast into prison while the few that had believed were either driven out of the city, or burned at the stake. Alma and Amulek were ultimately delivered by the power of God when the prison in which they were confined was destroyed by an earthquake and all except themselves, who were therein, were killed. The two prophets then left the city. Next year, in accordance with the words of Alma, the Lamanites suddenly attacked and utterly destroyed the city by fire. All its people, even the women and children, were burned to death as they had previously made martyrs of those who believed in the Gospel Message delivered by Alma and Amulek. After the place where Ammonihah stood had lain desolate for a number of years it was rebuilt and strongly fortified. In 73 B.C. the armies of the Lamanites came against it, but finding how strongly Moroni had fortified it they retired without making an attack.
Ammonihah, Land of. The country immediately surrounding the city of the same name. It lay between the River Sidon and the Pacific Ocean, but exactly where cannot be determined. It was called after a man named Ammonihah, but of his life we have no record. When Alma had made the three days' journey spoken of in Alma 16:2 it is stated: "The armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into the City of Ammonihah." If Ammonihah had been situated three days' journey north of Melek we suggest that it could not have been near that portion of the wilderness which the Lamanites so easily reached without discovery, for a march due north would have taken them close to, or actually through, the lands of Minon, Noah, Melek, and Zarahemla, the most thickly populated parts of the country; or, to have avoided these, they must have taken a circuitous route of immense length and great danger. Then when they attempted to retire, their retreat, owing to their great distance from Lehi-Nephi would have most assuredly been cut off as was the case with the Lamanite General, Coriantumr, under these same conditions.