The threatened destruction of the Nephites by the Lamanites (v. 18) is according to the principle stated by Mormon concerning the final destruction of the Nephites that took place prior to 400 A.D. “It is by the wicked that the wicked are punished” (Mormon 4:5). As stated above, the Lamanites were not as wicked as were the Nephites, and the Lamanite sins were more tolerable in the eyes of the Lord because they had not been given the light and knowledge that the Lord had given to the Nephites (Alma 9:19).
The blessings that had made the Nephites so highly favored of the Lord above every other nation, kindred, tongue and people had come to them because of their righteousness (v. 20). “The Lord having all things made known to them of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come” (v. 20), is the same definition of truth given to Joseph Smith in 1833. “Truth is a knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24). A surface reading of this definition suggests the present, the past, and the future, but a more extensive reading of the context of the section would define truth as a knowledge of our present state, a knowledge of our pre-mortal state, and a knowledge of our post-mortal state.
The enumeration of the spiritual experiences and gifts that had been given to the Nephites (v. 21) reminds us of Paul’s admonition to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–25).” The fruits of the Spirit, or the results of the Nephites following the Spirit, are specified by Alma (9:23). As we liken the scriptures unto ourselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23, 2 Nephi 6:5), we note that all of these experiences and gifts have been enjoyed in these last days through the restoration of the gospel. Therefore, it is more tolerable for those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to fall into sin and transgression than it is for those who are members of the Church, just as it was more tolerable for the Lamanites than for the Nephites (Alma 9:23). The Lord has firmly decreed to all of the inhabitants of the lands of the Americas, even as he did to the Nephites (v. 24), that they shall serve God or be swept off.
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written. [Ether 2:10–12]
The conditions in the lands of the Americas today should humble their inhabitants and cause them to turn to the Lord that they may not be swept off from the lands. Alma’s words to the people of Ammonihah confirm the responsibility placed upon those who have been blessed to teach those who have not had the knowledge of the gospel given to them.