Alma 9:7-13 After the people's contest of Alma's authority, he immediately turns around and "boldly testif[ies]" against them. After a very striking accusation of their wickedness, Alma gives the reason for the accusation directed towards them: They had forgotten the traditions of their fathers (which were righteous traditions). They had forgotten to keep the commandments of God. He then goes on to list five instances of God's kindness and mercy towards their ancestors and specifically towards them as a people. Alma draws a very strong case for God's mercy and long-suffering from their nation's family history. Then in verse 12 , Alma returns to his original theme of repentance and this time with a strong warning of destruction if they did not repent. What's interesting about these words is that if one goes beyond the superficial, these are fundamental statements of profound truth: "Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and ...
A personal study of the Book of Mormon by Brent Leavitt,
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.