Alma 31:18 18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a
holy people.  Amen.

Alma 31:19 19 Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his
sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all
measure.

Alma 31:20 20 For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same
prayers.

Alma 31:21 21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being
interpreted, is the holy stand.

Alma 31:22 22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.

Alma 31:23 23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this
manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God
again until they had assembled themselves together again to the
holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.

Alma 31:24 24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that
they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their
hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner
of fine goods.

Alma 31:25 25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto
great boasting, in their pride.

Alma 31:26 26 And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried, saying:  O,
how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell
here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among
the children of men?

Alma 31:27 27 Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are
swallowed up in their pride.  Behold, O God, they cry unto thee
with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness,
with the vain things of the world.

Alma 31:28 28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—­We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.

Alma 31:29 29 Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them that
there shall be no Christ.

Alma 31:30 30 O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people?  O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities.  For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.

Alma 31:31 31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort
my soul in Christ.  O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may
have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions
which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.