Alma 11:26-37

26  And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God?

27  And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God.

28  Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?

29  And he answered, No.

30  Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things?

31  And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.

32  And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come?  Is it the Son of God?

33  And he said unto him, Yea.

34  And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins?  And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

Alma 11:26-34 (Emphasis mine)

As you read the questions, it’s obvious a lawyer is asking them.  He’s not coming directly to the point, but he’s taking Amulek where he wants him to go one-step at a time.

Is there a God?  Yes.  Is there more than one God? No.  How do you know?  An angel told me.  Shall the Son of God come?  Yes.  Will He save the people in their sins?  No.  To do so would require Him to deny His word.  This is impossible.

Why did Zeezrom ask if God would save people “in their sins?” (verse 34).  John Clark wrote that “… in his dialogue with Amulek, Zeezrom implied that people could be saved ‘in their sins’ (see Alma 11:34—37), and the people of Ammonihah, who were followers of Nehor, ‘did not believe in the repentance of their sins’ (Alma 15:15).” [1] (Emphasis mine)

Slowly and steadily Zeezrom thinks he’s laying a trap for Amulek.

35  Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.

36  Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

37  And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven?  Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

Alma 11:35-37 (Emphasis mine)

Zeezrom then springs his trap.  Listen to this guy!  He thinks he can command God.  He said God would not save His people!

He thinks he’s being very cunning by saying Amulek said God would not save His people, conveniently leaving out that last part of what he said – “in their sins” (verse 34).  He’s hoping that no one will catch that comment.  His hope was misplaced.

Amulek promptly calls him a liar.  I don’t think I can command God.  I’m simply conveying His words.  He cannot save this people in their sins, making sure he emphasized his earlier point.  He wanted Zeezrom and the people to know he was listening and he won’t put up with his word games.

 Hugh Nibley observed:

“Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things [watch that—we'll catch him on that]; for ‘he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.’ Notice that he omits the part, ‘in their sins.’ He just leaves that out. He says don't say ‘in their sins’ is a typical lawyer question. Answer yes or no; will he save his people? Well, he won't save them in their sins. I didn't say "’n their sins’; leave that out. I'm just asking you a question. Answer me yes or no—will he save his people? Of course, it's a conditioned answer. This is a very favorite trick of lawyers. Their tricks are all easy, foolish, and transparent. They always work though, more or less.

“Then Amulek says you're the one that lies ‘for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins. And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins [that's the thing he hadn't mentioned]; for I cannot deny his word …’ “ [2] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Painting Out the Messiah: The Theologies of Dissidents, John L. Clark, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed October 24, 2011.

[2] Lecture 48: Alma 10-12, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed October 24, 2011.