Alma 19:28-36

28 And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the woman servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.

29 And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people!

30 And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood; and when she had done this, she took the king, Lamoni, by the hand, and behold he arose and stood upon his feet.

31 And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as heard his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord.

32 But there were many among them who would not hear his words; therefore they went their way.

33 And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.

34 And behold, many did declare unto the people that they had seen angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had told them things of God, and of his righteousness.

35 And it came to pass that there were many that did believe in their words; and as many as did believe were baptized; and they became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among them.

36 And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name. (Alma 19:28-36)

Contention and confusion reigned among the multitude. Instead of them seeing the hand of the Lord as Abish hoped, she saw chaos. Her sorrow brought her to tears. She stepped in to take control.

She took the queen by the hand. No sooner did she touch her hand, the queen stood up. She cried, “O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people” (Alma 19:29).

An angel showed Nephi₁ this awful hell. “And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end” (1 Nephi 14:3).

Being filled with joy, she said things the multitude could not understand. She then took Lamoni by the hand. He stood up.

“Here we have women involved in prophecy, healing, speaking in tongues, and visions … At this point in the story, the queen, like Abish, has had her own witness directly from the Lord, and she can in nowise be considered ‘spiritually dependent’ on her husband with respect to her knowledge.”[1]

He saw the contention and began to rebuke them. He taught them what Ammon had taught him. There were those who heard his words, believed, and were converted; however, many rejected his words and left.

In spite of all the miracles the Savior did, he was rejected by many.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

“While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:35-37).

Ammon then stood up and administered to the people. He was joined by Lamoni’s servants. The people declared their hearts had been changed. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).

Many declared they had seen and conversed with angels. They taught them about God and His righteousness.

Many believed their words and were baptized. They established a church and became a righteous people. “[T]he Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name” (Alma 19:36).

“Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you” (Alma 5:33).

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[1] Nephite Feminism Revisited: Thoughts on Carol Lynn Pearson's View of Women in the Book of Mormon, Kevin and Shauna Christensen, Maxwell Institute website.