In an April 1993 general conference address, Bishop H. David Burton, then first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric and now Presiding Bishop of the Church, spoke of his heroes, among whom were Alma and Amulek of the Book of Mormon.
"Alma, the high priest of the church of God, unsuccessfully attempted to preach repentance to his Nephite brethren in the city of Ammonihah," Bishop Burton said. "He left that city very, very discouraged. An angel appeared to him and said, Behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them.' (Alma 8:16.) Alma returned as commanded."Amulek lived in that city of Ammonihah. He told of this experience:As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house.' (Alma 10:7.)
"Amulek returned and took Alma into his house to eat and to rest. Amulek was called to be Alma's missionary companion. On one occasion they were bound, beaten, and thrown into prison for preaching repentance. In response to their pleas, the Lord caused the walls of the prison to fall, killing those who had imprisoned them.
"Alma and Amulek listened to the angel. They responded to the call to missionary service, and they preached repentance. They stood tall in the face of adversity and imprisonment. They are heroes whose lives are worthy of emulation."
