A man by the name of Antionah (pronounced an-tee-AH-nah) is “a chief ruler” among the people of Ammonihah at the time Alma is preaching there around 82 b.c. (see verse 20). He challenges Alma concerning the doctrine of immortality through the Resurrection, citing the reference in the scriptures that Adam and Eve were prevented from partaking of the fruit of the tree of life by the placement of cherubim to guard the way: “And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever” (verse 21). His point opens the way for Alma to explain that the blessing of eternal life is conditional on faith and obedience in mortality.