Alma 14

It is hard to imagine the state of mind of a people so wicked they would cast women and children into a fire to be burned to death. Then they try to make Alma and Amulek feel like they are to blame because these martyrs believed what they preached. This to me is one of the three most tragic incidents in the Book of Mormon. The other two are the destruction that takes place at the time of the Savior's death and the complete destruction of the Nephite nation at the end of the Book of Mormon. The wickedness of these people has reached a level where the suffering of the women and children does not bother them in the least. It reminds of the Nazis exterminating millions and treating others without the least bit of feeling or concern for the suffering they are inflicting. I also can't imagine the guilt Zeezrom must have felt for undoubtedly he knew he contributed to there state of unbelief. We learn more about that in the next chapter. The interesting thing is that among all of their accusations of Alma and Amulek is the taunt of "How shall we look when we are damned?" These are words that will come back with exquisite remembrance when justice requires it's full weight in facing the consequences of their actions. I cannot imagine either the realization they would have felt in coming to a recognition of the Savior's love in comparison to their total lack of feeling. In this chapter, Alma and Amulek are beaten seven times before the Lord destroys the prison and the leaders.