Amulek’s perception of the lawyer’s thoughts is one of several testimonies of this gift of the Spirit (v. 17). Alma confirms that Amulek knew their thoughts “by his spirit” (Alma 12:3). Ammon, son of Mosiah, was later filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the [Lamanite] king (Alma 18:16). Nephi, son of Helaman, told the people of Zarahemla “the thoughts of [their] hearts” (Helaman 9:41). In modern revelation, the Lord told Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery “that there is none else save God that knowest thy thought and the intents of thy heart” (D&C 6:16).
Amulek’s declaration that the people of Ammonihah were ripe for destruction because they had chosen iniquity fulfills the prophetic warning of King Mosiah (v. 19). It came to pass in just ten years, from about 92 B.C. to 82 B.C. Once more the rejection of the gifts of the Spirit by the Nephite people (see Alma 9:21) is confirmed. The cry of repentance “by the voice of his angels” (Alma 10:20–21) was well deserved.
Only the “prayers of the righteous” were keeping the city of Ammonihah from being destroyed (v. 22). The warning that if they cast out the righteous they would be destroyed (v. 23) is also an eternal principle. When a people become ripe in iniquity they are destroyed (see 1 Nephi 17:35, Genesis 15:16). If the people do not repent after being warned by the Lord’s prophets (see 2 Nephi 25:9), the Lord will lead “away the righteous into precious lands” if they have not been cast out, and “the wicked he destroyeth” (1 Nephi 17:38).