Copies of the Hebrew Scriptures were quite common among the Nephites, and Alma, taking foreknowledge of their wide distribution, called upon the throng standing before him to look for themselves in them and see what two of the ancient prophets said about prayer and worship. Alma cited Zenos and Zenock. He quoted Zenos. That they would find in the prophet's words a complete answer to the problem that perplexed them, Alma told them.
Alma read to them what Zenos said: Thou art merciful, O God, for Thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, Thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and Thou didst turn them to me. Yea, O God, and Thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto Thee in my field; when I did cry unto Thee in my prayer, and Thou didst hear me. And again, O God, when I did turn to my house Thou didst hear me in my prayer. And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto Thee, Thou didst hear me. Yea, Thou are merciful unto thy children when they call unto Thee, to be heard of Thee and not of men, and Thou wilt hear them. Yea, O God, Thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of Thy congregations. Yea, and Thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, Thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and Thou didst visit them in Thine anger with speedy destruction. And Thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of Thy Son that Thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto Thee in all mine afflictions, for in Thee is my joy; for Thou hast turned Thy judgments away from me, because of Thy Son.