Alma 14

Paul wrote to the Corinthains of -

"...approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults..." (New Testament | 2 Corinthians 6:4 - 5)

And James would also write -

"...Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience." (New Testament | James 5:10)'

Though there are many examples of ministers demonstrating patience in affliction, I believe the story of Alma and Amulek stand as one of the greatest. Amuluk had previously testified to the people of Ammonihah that Alma -

"...hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake." (Book of Mormon | Alma 10:11)

And that these brethren -

"...had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 8:31)

It is with that understanding that after having preached the word where there were some that believed, the majority of those who desired to continue in wicked did cause that -

"...all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them." (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:7)

And then we witness the greatest demonstration of evil as -

"...they brought their wives and children together, and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire." (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:8)

Though there is no evidence as such, there is no question in my mind that Amulek's women and children were either those that did believe or had been taught to believe. I personally believe Amulek's family was amongst those case into the fire. It was during this horrific event that -

"...they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.
10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene?..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:9 - 10)

Amulek, know the power they possessed suggested -

"...Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames." (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:10)

But as a minister demonstrating great patience in affliction, Alma answers -

"...The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day." (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:11)

I cannot imagine a greater example of patience in afflictions. This will continue as Alma and Amulek are "smote" many, many times there and afterwards in prision suffering all manner of mockings and affliction. But there is a limit of testing and the time came when Alma exclaimed -

"...How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:26)

And great destructon followed the people of Ammonihah.