Zeezrom (pronounced Zee-EZ-rum) is an example of the process of spiritual transformation, of rebounding from a life of sin to a life of service. He is a lawyer in the city of Ammonihah during the time that Alma and Amulek are preaching repentance in that part of the land. Zeezrom is “the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of the most expert among them, having much business to do among the people” (Alma 10:31). The strategy used by the lawyers is to stir up the people in order to generate suits and increase employment opportunities. Thus Zeezrom, “who [is] expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good” (Alma 11:21), is determined to question both Amulek and Alma with an eye to catching them in contradictory statements that can be turned to their destruction. His favorite stratagem of trickery is to impute to Amulek the false claim that the Son of God “shall not save His people” (Alma 11:35)—whereas Amulek, in his teaching, is simply making clear that the Lord cannot save people “in their sins” because “he hath said that no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven” (Alma 11:36–37).
Despite his devious methods, Zeezrom is no match for these prophets of God, who, acting under the power of the Spirit, discern his thoughts and render impotent his evil intentions. The more Amulek and Alma expound the doctrines of Christ and His atoning mission, the more fearful Zeezrom becomes, trembling under the burden of his growing awareness that his position is altogether wrong. Then Alma plants a seed of hope in the conversation as conveyed by the words of the Lord: “Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest” (Alma 12:34). Zeezrom is illuminated with the light of the gospel and is moved to repentance, as are many others who witness the testimony of the servants of God (see Alma 14:6–7).
The story has a happy ending. The initial encounter between Zeezrom and Alma and Amulek takes place around 82 b.c. Zeezrom’s subsequent healing and baptism occurs not long thereafter, and the new convert begins “from that time forth to preach unto the people” (Alma 15:12). Several years later, Alma calls Zeezrom to accompany him, along with Amulek and others, to preach to the Zoramites in the land of Antionum (see Alma 31:6–7, 32). Following this mission, Zeezrom presumably continues his service in the ministry back in Zarahemla.