Alma 10:11 - 10:15

Alma 10:11 For behold, he hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake.

Amulek testifies further that he and his family including wife, children and even his father and other relatives have been blessed as he was promised by Alma. It all came to pass just like Alma said it would.

Alma 10:12 And now, when Amulek had spoken these words the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

Now with Amulek’s witness as to the validly of what Alma had been prophesying would happen to the city and its inhabitants if they did not repent began to have an impact now their emotions. The excuse of their being only one witness or testifier as to what Alma was prophesying, namely Alma’s, was swept aside with Amulek’s testimony.

Alma 10:13 Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought to question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch them in their words, that they might find witness against them, that they might deliver them to their judges that they might be judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear or witness against them.

Nevertheless, there were individuals in the crowd listening to Alma and Amulek that were not going to let them say what they were prophesying without challenging them. Their intent was to try to find some contradiction in their testimony which could be used against them in their courts. If they could show that they were violating some ordinance, these individuals be imprisoned or depending on the seriousness of their crime even executed.

Lying was a crime in Nephite society and punishable by the law. Apparently free speech was not as excuse a person could use to make public false statements. Too bad we do not have that today in our political discourse.

Alma 10:14 Now it was those men who sought to destroy them, who were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer the law at their times of trials, or at the trials of the crimes of the people before the judges.

These individuals were lawyers. They were the ones trying find a way to silence Alma and Amulek. They were government employees and therefore in effect hired by the people to take individuals before the court judges for whatever crime for judgement.

Alma 10:15 Now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skilful in their profession.

These lawyers were a clever lot. They knew the law and were able litigators. They were also experts in the language in addition to being able debaters even for things they might have been against personally.