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.
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.
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.
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.
16 And it came to pass that they began to question Amulek, that thereby they might make him cross his words, or contradict the words which he should speak.
Alma 10:12-16 (Emphasis mine)
The people were amazed that there was an additional witness to testify against them. They were, no doubt, amazed that it was one of “their own.”
Dennis Largey explains, “The people in Ammonihah rejected and ridiculed Alma and his message, but became astonished at the words of Amulek, "seeing that there was more than one witness that testified of the things whereof they were accused" (Alma 10:12; italics added). It was the second witness that astonished the people.” [1] (Emphasis mine)
There was a group who decided they needed to step in and end this. They had “cunning devices” to confuse them and find ways to have them contradict their own words. Their goal was to take the before their judges, tried, found guilty, and either thrown into prison or executed. These were the lawyers.
Hugh Nibley comments:
“Alma 10 is the legalistic chapter. It's on legalism and lawyers. It packs a real wallop and shows immense insight ... That's the whole business of lawyers—to make your side appear whatever it is … That's the skill of rhetoric. You can take either side and make it win. Whether it was good or bad had nothing to do with it; you won the case. That's what you are supposed to do. To make the worse appear the better reason shocked everybody. That's what we have here; this is way up in it …
“… It's frightening because these people make the rules as they go. They're the lawyers and they're free to move the goal post anytime they want, so they always win … they had [Amulek] in their clutches. They were going to weave a tangled net to get him.”[2] (Emphasis mine)
Thomas Valetta observes:
“When Amulek provided support for Alma's testimony, those of the order of Nehor in Ammonihah attempted to ‘question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch them in their words’ (Alma 10:13). These men were "lawyers ... learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skilful in their profession" (Alma 10:15). A once-enlightened people of the Lord had degenerated to the level of marshaling all their secular skills and tactics in their efforts to destroy the representatives of God (see Alma 10:14)." [3] (Emphasis mine)
17 Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their designs. But it came to pass as they began to question him, he perceived their thoughts, and he said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God.
18 Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous, and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people.
Alma 10:17-18 (Emphasis mine)
It’s tough to use your “cunning devices” to confuse you and have you contradict yourself when your opponent knows your thoughts. Amulek was ready for them.
Amulek wasted no words with them. He called them “lawyers and hypocrites.” He told them that they were laying the foundations of the devil and that they would bring the wrath of God upon them, resulting in the utter destruction Ammonihah.
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Luke 5:21-25 (Emphasis mine)
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:6-11 (Emphasis mine)
[1] The Book of Mormon, An Interpretive Guide to the New Testament, Dennis Largey, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 19, 2011.
[2] Lecture 48: Alma 10-12, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 19, 2011
[3] Conflicting Orders: Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah, Thomas R. Valletta, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 19, 2011.
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