Alma had been teaching the people of Ammonihah and the people of Melek for about nine months or more. He started in “the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges” (Alma 8:3), and after an undisclosed time of success in the land of Melek, he journeyed to the city of Ammonihah. He also spent “many days with Amulek before he began to preach to the people” (Alma 8:27). However, the actual days of preaching seems to have been but few. The date of “the twelfth day, in the tenth month” (Alma 14:23) was probably recorded because of the significance of the prison being destroyed.
The challenge to Alma and Amulek from the chief judge, and those teachers and lawyers who were with them, to show them the power of God was accepted—by God. The power of God came upon Alma and Amulek (vv. 24–25). Alma’s asking how long shall we suffer? (v. 26) reminds us of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the jail at Liberty, Missouri in 1839. Joseph asked the Lord to “Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever” (D&C 121:6, see also vv. 1–5).
Alma’s plea to God for strength according to their faith in Christ (Alma 14:26) is similar to Nephi’s request when he was bound by Laman and Lemuel. The results were the same in both incidents. They received strength to break their bonds (1 Nephi 7:16–17).
The prison falling to the earth and killing all but Alma and Amulek will be somewhat duplicated by Nephi and Lehi, sons of Helaman, when they are cast into prison in the land of Zarahemla in about 30 B.C. They are encircled as if by fire, the earth shakes exceedingly, and the walls tremble. Darkness covers the Lamanite prisoners until they have faith like Alma, Amulek, and Zeezrom (see Helaman 5:21–45). The apostles Peter and Paul had similar experiences as recorded in the New Testament. Peter was bound with chains between two soldiers when an angel awakened him. The chains fell from his hands, the gates were opened, and he was delivered from the hand of Herod (Acts 12:5–11). Paul was cast into prison at Philippi and a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, the doors were opened and every one’s bands were loosed (Acts 16:25–26). They knew, as did Alma and Amulek, that the power of God is real.
Those who were questioning Alma and Amulek learned from experience whose power is greater, the order of Nehor or the priesthood of God. They undoubtedly also learned the reality of the torments that are like unto a lake of fire and brimstone, which the chief judge had attempted to disprove (Alma 14:8–15). The fate of those who fled because of fear (v. 29) will be shone in Alma chapter 16.