161 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people, causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.
162 And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy the church of God: for he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of God, or even the king;
163 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;
164 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
165 Nevertheless he cried again, saying, Alma, arise, and stand forth, for why persecuteth thou the church of God?
166 For the Lord hath said, This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.
167 And again, the angel said, Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant Alma, who is thy father:
168 For he has prayed with much faith concerning thee, that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth;
169 Therefore for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.
170 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God?
171 For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth?
