Alma 22:1-11

Chapter 22

Aaron teaches Lamoni’s father about the Creation, the Fall of Adam, and the plan of redemption through Christ—The king and all his household are converted—The division of the land between the Nephites and the Lamanites is explained. About 90–77 B.C.

1 Now, as Ammon was thus teaching the people of Lamoni continually, we will return to the account of Aaron and his brethren; for after he departed from the land of Middoni he was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, even to the house of the king which was over all the land save it were the land of Ishmael; and he was the father of Lamoni.

2 And it came to pass that he went in unto him into the king’s palace, with his brethren, and bowed himself before the king, and said unto him: Behold, O king, we are the brethren of Ammon, whom thou hast delivered out of prison.

3 And now, O king, if thou wilt spare our lives, we will be thy servants. And the king said unto them: Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with thee.

4 And Aaron said unto the king: Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni.

5 Now the king said unto them: What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me.

6 And also, what is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day?

7 And Aaron answered him and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And the king said: I know that the Amalekites say that there is a God, and I have granted unto them that they should build sanctuaries, that they may assemble themselves together to worship him. And if now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe.

8 And now when Aaron heard this, his heart began to rejoice, and he said: Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O king, there is a God.

9 And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem?

10 And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth. Believest thou this?

11 And he said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit created all things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words. (Alma 22:1-11)

Mormon now gives us an account of the ministry of Aaron and his brethren. After leaving Middoni, he was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi.

“And [Aaron and his brethren] 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.

“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” (Alma 21:16-17).

After being released from prison, Aaron went to preach the gospel to the father of Lamoni. He went before the king, introducing himself as the brethren of Ammon who he released from prison.

He told the king, if he would spare their lives, they would be his servant.

He rejected Aaron’s offer of becoming his servants. Instead, he “insist[ed] that ye shall administer unto me” (Alma 22:3). He was troubled by both the generosity and greatness of Ammon’s words.

He then asked why Ammon did not come with them. Aaron told him the Spirit of the Lord called him to go to the land of Ishmael to teach Lamoni’s people.

Lamoni told him he was troubled concerning what had been said about the Spirit of the Lord. He also wanted to know what Ammon meant when he said, “If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day” (Alma 22:6).

“But Ammon stood forth and said unto him: Behold, thou shalt not slay thy son; nevertheless, it were better that he should fall than thee, for behold, he has repented of his sins; but if thou shouldst fall at this time, in thine anger, thy soul could not be saved.

“And again, it is expedient that thou shouldst forbear; for if thou shouldst slay thy son, he being an innocent man, his blood would cry from the ground to the Lord his God, for vengeance to come upon thee; and perhaps thou wouldst lose thy soul” (Alma 20:17-18).

Aaron asked if believed there is a God.

He responded by saying he knows the Amalekites say there is a God. He has allowed them to worship and build sanctuaries where they could worship.

But, if Aaron says there is a God, he would believe his words.

“To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.

“To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful” (D&C 46:13-14).

“From the example of Lamoni’s father, we learn the importance of a soft heart that is willing to change. Lamoni’s father was willing to give up half of his kingdom to Ammon in exchange for his life (see Alma 20:21–23). After Ammon simply requested that the king allow Lamoni to worship as he desired in his own kingdom, the generosity and greatness of Ammon’s words caused the king to be troubled in mind and heart (see Alma 20:24; 22:3). When Aaron arrived to teach the king, his heart had changed and he had an easiness to believe, as he said to Aaron, ‘Behold I will believe’ (Alma 22:7). He then expressed a willingness to give up all he possessed, even to forsake his kingdom, to have the joy of the Lord (see Alma 22:15). When he first prayed, he offered that which Heavenly Father wanted when he said, ‘I will give away all my sins to know thee’ (Alma 22:18). An easiness and willingness to believe the word of God will come from repentance and obedience.”[1]

Aaron rejoice to hear there words. He testified, “assuredly as thou livest, O king, there is a God” (Alma 22:8).

The king asked if God was “that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem” (Alma 22:9). Aaron told him God is that Great Spirit. He created all things. He asked him if he believed that?

He believed this. He wants to know more about these things. He told Aaron he would believe all his words.

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[1] An Easiness and Willingness to Believe, Elder Michael T. Ringwood, October 2009 General Conference.