Alma 12:1 - 12:5

Alma 12:1 Now Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had silenced Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek had caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy him, and seeing that he began to tremble under a consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth and began to speak unto him, and to establish the words of Amulek, and to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which Amulek had done.

Alma observes that Amulek has silenced Zeezrom. Amulek had discerned that Zeezrom was trying to destroy his creditability by lying and using false arguments try to show the crowd that Amulek was crazy. Alma also saw that Zeezrom’s conscience had been severely pricked and that Zeezrom was shaking. Alma now got up to confirm Amulek’s testimony and add to what he had said.

Alma 12:2 Now the words that Alma spake unto Zeezrom were heard by the people round about; for the multitude was great, and he spake on this wise:

What Alma was about to say to Zeezrom was also for the benefit of the crowd that had gathered around. The number of people in the crowd was large.

Alma 12:3 Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit;

Alma tells Zeezrom that he has been caught in his attempt to discredit Amulek. Zeezrom was not only trying to deceive the crowd but Zeezrom knew that was what he was doing. Zeezrom’s efforts were not for the benefit of the people but for his own. In addition, he had been discerned by Amulek because the Spirit had revealed to Amulek that that was what Zeezrom was trying to do. Zeezrom now sees that the thoughts of people can be revealed to inspired leaders and speakers.

Alma 12:4 And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us and to cast us out—

Alma tells Zeezrom that his plan was to try to get the people to turn against Alma and Amulek and run them out of town by lying and making false allegations against them. Furthermore, that Zeezrom’s inspiration was coming from satan himself in which he was going to use false arguments that only the spiritually discerning could detect.

Alma 12:5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all.

Alma tells Zeezrom in no uncertain terms that satan was inspiring him to this effort against Alma and Amulek. And what Alma is about to say to Zeezrom applies to all the others in the crowd.