An important spiritual lesson is Alma’s attack on the inhabitants’ resistance by pleading with Yahweh “in mighty prayer” to find a way to reach the people. However, he clearly does not stop at prayer. He still tried to preach, or they could not have rejected him in the specific terms that Mormon records.
An equally important historical lesson is the quality of the political and religious alliances of Zarahemla. Ammonihah at least nominally recognized Zarahemla’s political authority, for they announce (correctly) that Alma has no political authority over them and feel no need to acknowledge his religious authority. The separation of Nephite religion from the political structure is complete. Ammonihah can acknowledge political dependence while rejecting religious dependence.