Alma Ch9

During the next few days of reading, we will read the words of Alma and Amulek that were declared to the people in Ammoniah and what happens to them in other situations. This first chapter is all about the words that Alma starts with when the people are doubtful of him and his purpose. They are powerful words of warning for all those who die in sin.
When Alma started to preach, the people questioned him and contend with him about his credentials and the truth of his words so much that they doubted God and rejected his marvelous works (v1-6). They became wroth with Alma, wanting to imprison him but Alma preaches about the lack of remembrance among the people of their heritage (v7-10). There was a time when the people were delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites through the matchless power and mercy of God (v12). So now that He is commanding the people to repent, they don't remember his power to prosper them or keep them safe from the Lamanites who are cut off because of their transgression (v13-14).
They have been cut off for a very long time because of the decision of Laman and Lemuel so the people who are currently unaware of the power and love of God will be better off than the people who knew God's awesomeness and rejected the truth (v15-16). There will be a time when the Lamanites will have an opportunity to receive the truth and the Lord will be merciful to those who repent (v17). The Lord will not let his people stay upon the land of promise if they are wicked and the Nephites who are sinful will be destroyed and die in their transgression (v18-19).
When they die in sin, having a full knowledge of the spirit and things of God because they were once highly favored of God, they will have judgement to face which is worse than for those who died in ignorance (v20-23). The Lord made promises to Lehi that will be extended to his righteous offspring so the Lamanites have more chance to gain those blessings than those who are knowingly wicked (v24). But our Lord is amazing in that He gives men many chances to repent and sends prophets, such as Alma, to preach to the people to make them aware of their awful situation (v25).
At the time these words are given, it is 82 years until Jesus Christ will come to the earth (you can look at the bottom of the page in a hard copy), and comparatively, it is not long until he comes to pay for the sins of the world (v26-27). Despite when the Lord will come in their case (or for us, has come), we all should prepare ourselves for judgement and to reap a reward for our works (v28). Here's how it works; we repent of our sins with faith, be baptized with authority in the name of Christ, trust in Him eternally, and then we shall have eternal life.
Angels and prophets have all prophesied of these things and encouraged all to repent or be lost, and like in this situation, many times people who hear the message are angry and refuse to see their faults (v29-31). People in general who are used to being wicked are not open to being told they are wrong or lost, so the people of Ammoniah who were mad wanted Alma thrown in prison (v32). The Lord did not let this happen because the message was still needing to be spread, and Amulek tries with the people in the next chapter (v33-34).