8 And
they brought their wives and children together, and whosoever believed
or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they
should be cast
into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which
contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that
they might be burned and destroyed by fire.
9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.
10 And
when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming
in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we
witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and
exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11 But
Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch
forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory;
and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may
do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that
the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
12 Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also.
13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.
14 Now
it came to pass that when the bodies of those who had been cast into
the fire were consumed, and also the records which were cast in with
them, the chief judge of the land came and stood before Alma and Amulek,
as they were bound; and he smote them with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone?
15 Behold,
ye see that ye had not power to save those who had been cast into the
fire; neither has God saved them because they were of thy faith. And the
judge smote them again upon their cheeks, and asked: What say ye for
yourselves?
16 Now this judge was after the order and faith of Nehor, who slew Gideon.
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