16 And they went forth
whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of
God in every synagogue of the Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites
where they could be admitted.
17 And it came to pass
that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the
knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the
traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.
18 And it came to pass
that Ammon and Lamoni returned from the land of Middoni to the land of Ishmael,
which was the land of their inheritance.
19 And king Lamoni
would not suffer that Ammon should serve him, or be his servant.
20 But he caused that
there should be synagogues built in the land of Ishmael; and he caused that his
people, or the people who were under his reign, should assemble themselves
together.
21 And he did rejoice
over them, and he did teach them many things.
And he did also declare unto them that they were a people who were under
him, and that they were a free people, that they were free from the oppressions
of the king, his father; for that his father had granted unto him that he might
reign over the people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land
round about.
22 And he also
declared unto them that they might have the liberty of worshiping the Lord
their God according to their desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it
were in the land which was under the reign of king Lamoni.
23 And Ammon did
preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it came to pass that he did teach
them all things concerning things pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with all
diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were zealous for keeping
the commandments of God.
Alma 21:16-23
Aaron and his group, having been freed from prison,
continued their missionary service. They were guided by the Spirit of the
Lord. They taught in every synagogue of
the Amalekites and in every assembly of the Lamanites when they were admitted.
They were blessed by the Lord. They were
successful in bringing gospel truths to many and they convinced them of their
sins.[1]
Having obtained the release of Aaron and his companions from
prison, Ammon and Lamoni returned to the land of Ishmael. Lamoni would no longer allow Ammon to be his
servant. He had synagogues built
throughout the land and had his people assemble there regularly.
Lamoni announced they were a free people. They were free from his father’s oppression
as his father granted him the right to rule his people without his
interference.
He also gave them the freedom of worship as they
desired. This applied throughout the
entire land.
Joseph Smith wrote a declaration of belief regarding
governments and laws in general. It
began:
1 We believe that governments were
instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for
their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for
the good and safety of society.
2 We believe that no government can
exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure
to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of
property, and the protection of life.
3 We believe that all governments
necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the
same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be
sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of
the sovereign.
4 We believe that religion is
instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the
exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon
the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a
right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of
men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil
magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish
guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
D&C 134:1-4
Lamoni would have supported this declaration.
Ammon continued to preach to Lamoni’s people concerning
things pertaining to righteousness. He
exhorted to give heed unto his word.
“But it is good to be
zealously affected always in a good thing” (Galatians 4:18). “[A]nd they were zealous for keeping the
commandments of God” (Alma 21:23).
[1]
Modern missionaries received a similar promise: “And by your hands I will work
a marvelous work among the children of men, unto the convincing of many of
their sins, that they may come unto repentance, and that they may come unto the
kingdom of my Father” (D&C 18:44).
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