Alma 18:12-31

12 And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence.

13 And one of the king's servants said unto him, Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great king, considering their kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him: Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to stay.

14 Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king?  And the king answered him not for the space of an hour, according to their time, for he knew not what he should say unto him.

15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest thou of me?  But the king answered him not.

16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king.  And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings?

17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great?  Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.

18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou?  Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?

19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.

20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart?  Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—

21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.

22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things?  And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words.  And thus he was caught with guile.

24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.

26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?

27 And he said, Yea.

28 And Ammon said: This is God.  And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?

29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.

30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God dwells and all his holy angels.

31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?

Alma 18:12-31

Alma had finished his chores and returned to the King.  When he arrived, he noticed the expression on the King’s face and decided he should leave.

He was addressed by a servant with the honorific, Rabbanah (powerful king).  The king wanted Ammon to stay.

Ammon approached the King and asked, “What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king?”  There was silence for an hour.  “In this scene of dramatic irony, we know that Ammon has turned down the opportunity to be king in order to be a missionary servant to Lamoni and his people. He, however, never reveals that to Lamoni. Indeed, he maintains the respectful stance of a servant: ‘What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king?’ (Alma 18:14).^[1]  He repeated the question again at the end of the hour.

Being filled with the Spirit of God, Ammon knew the King’s thought.  Ammon asked if he wanted to see him because he defended the servants and flocks as well as killing seven of the gang.  Is he surprised because he did these things?

Ammon told the King he is only a man, and his servant.  Whatever he desired, that was right, he would do. 

Knowing Ammon could know his thoughts, he asked him, “Who are you?  Are you the Great Spirit?” Ammon replied he was not.

Then, the King asked, how do you know my thoughts?  He told him to respond as he saw fit, explaining how he knew his thoughts as well as protecting his flocks and servants.  If Ammon explains these things to him, he will protect him with his armies, even though he is more powerful than they are.

Ammon asked Lamoni if he would listen to his words if he explains the power by which he did what he did.  This is what he asked of the King.  Lamoni responded he would believe all Ammon said.  He began questioning the King.

Do you, he asked, believe in God?  Lamoni didn’t know what was meant by God.  Ammon asked if he believed there was a Great Spirit.  Lamoni stated he did.  Ammon explained the Great Spirit is God. 

He asked, Do you believe the Great Spirit, who is God, created all things in heaven and earth.  Lamoni accepted God created all things in earth, but he did not understand what was meant by heaven.  Ammon explained this is where God dwells. 

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[1] "To Show unto the Remnant of the House of Israel" – Narrators and Narratives, Maxwell Institute, accessed May 20, 2015.