Alma 8:6 - 8:10

Alma 8:6 So that when he had finished his work at Melek he departed thence, and traveled three days’ journey on the north of the land of Melek; and he came to a city which was called Ammonihah.

After his visit to Melek, Alma traveled north for three days and arrived at the city of Ammonihah.

Alma 8:7 Now it was the custom of the people of Nephi to call their lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all their small villages, after the name of him who first possessed them; and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah.

The city had the name of Ammonihah because it was settle by people whose leader was a man by the name of Ammonihah. It was the custom of the Nephites to name new areas of settlement by the name of the leader of the settlers.

Alma 8:8 And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of Ammonihah he began to preach the word of God unto them.

And as Alma had done in Zarahemla, Gideon and Melek, he began his ministry among the people of Ammonihah.

Alma 8:9 Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma.

His reception by the people was nowhere near like the reception in Gideon or Melek. He was rejected by the people of Ammonihah for satan had gained control over their souls and they would not listen to Alma’s words.

Alma 8:10 Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.

Alma did not give up quickly. He prayed with great intent seeking for ways or words to get the people of Ammonihah to take him seriously. He wanted them to recognize that their wrong thinking and wicked behavior was taking a great toll on their souls. Alma wanted to get them to repent and be baptized into the church for their own salvation.