Alma 22:15-23

15  And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken?  Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day?  Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

16  But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

Alma 22:15-16 (Emphasis mine)

After hearing Aaron’s words about Christ, the king wants to be born of God.  He wanted the “wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit…”   He fully accepted Aaron’s words.  He wanted to repent and “be filled with joy…”  What was he willing to do?  He was willing to give up everything for this. 

Compare Lamoni’s father’s response to the response of the rich young man who came to Jesus.

16  ¶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?  there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18  He saith unto him, Which?  Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Matthew 19:16-22 (Emphasis mine)

Here is a young man who wants eternal life.  He kept the commandments, but realized he still lacked something.

Christ told him he had to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Him.  This was too much  for the young man.  He had “great possessions.”  They were too important to him.  He sorrowfully left Christ, unable to make the sacrifice.

Compare this to the king.  He had power and wealth; he was willing to give up all willingly, without being asked.  Here is a man who has been converted.

Aaron responded he had to repent, bow down before God, and ask in faith, believing he will receive these things.  If he did this, he would receive what he would desire.

The king did as Aaron said, and the experience of Lamoni is repeated.

17  And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

18  O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.  And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.

19  And it came to pass that his servants ran and told the queen all that had happened unto the king.  And she came in unto the king; and when she saw him lay as if he were dead, and also Aaron and his brethren standing as though they had been the cause of his fall, she was angry with them, and commanded that her servants, or the servants of the king, should take them and slay them.

20  Now the servants had seen the cause of the king's fall, therefore they durst not lay their hands on Aaron and his brethren; and they pled with the queen saying: Why commandest thou that we should slay these men, when behold one of them is mightier than us all?  Therefore we shall fall before them.

Alma 22:17-20 (Emphasis mine)

The king lay on the ground and began to pray.  Even though he had faith, his prayer shows that he doesn’t have the knowledge he needed to have true belief. 

This is a very powerful example of a person attempting to know God. 

“Several Book of Mormon passages illustrate the desire of individuals as well as whole groups of people to initiate entering into covenant with God …  Perhaps the most poignant example is the plea of the Lamanite king who desired to know the heavenly king: ‘O God, Aaron [a missionary] hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee’ (Alma 22:18). This example is particularly remarkable because one who had been an earthly [ruler] desired to become [subject] to God, the highest [ruler], hoping that his repentance would be an acceptable offering for that privilege.” ^[1] (Emphasis mine)

He pleaded with the Lord to forgive him of his sins and allow him to know Him.  Then he was struck and appeared to be dead.

The servants ran and got his wife and showed her what had happened.  Seeing her husband’s body on the ground, she assumed he was killed by Aaron and his group.  She demanded her servants slay them.

The servants weren’t willing to do this.  They said that one of them is mightier than they are.  If they attempted to slay them, they would die.

21  Now when the queen saw the fear of the servants she also began to fear exceedingly, lest there should some evil come upon her.  And she commanded her servants that they should go and call the people, that they might slay Aaron and his brethren.

22  Now when Aaron saw the determination of the queen, he, also knowing the hardness of the hearts of the people, feared lest that a multitude should assemble themselves together, and there should be a great contention and a disturbance among them; therefore he put forth his hand and raised the king from the earth, and said unto him: Stand.  And he stood upon his feet, receiving his strength.

23  Now this was done in the presence of the queen and many of the servants.  And when they saw it they greatly marveled, and began to fear.  And the king stood forth, and began to minister unto them.  And he did minister unto them, insomuch that his whole household were converted unto the Lord.

Alma 22:21-23 (Emphasis mine)

The queen began to fear Aaron and his brethren.  If she, or the servants, couldn’t kill Aaron’s group, maybe the people could do it for her.  She had the servants call the round up the people.

Aaron saw what was happening and knew nothing good could come from a mob.  He put out his hand and told the king to stand.  He regained his strength and stood.

He then began to preach to his household.  His words were so powerful, his entire household was converted unto the Lord.

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[1] Treaties and Covenants: Ancient Near Eastern Legal Terminology in the Book of Mormon, RoseAnn Benson, and Stephen D. Ricks, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 19, 2011.

Alma 20:14-27

14  Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay Ammon with the sword.  And he also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him to the land of Ishmael.

15  But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God.

16  Now when his father had heard these words, he was angry with him, and he drew his sword that he might smite him to the earth.

17  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.

18  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 20:14-18 (Emphasis mine)

Lamoni’s father commanded him to slay Ammon and return with him to the land of Ishmael.  Lamoni refused both requests.

Remember that Lamoni’s father is the king over the entire land.  Lamoni and his brothers rule smaller areas within that land.  To refuse the command of the king meant Lamoni was prepared to literally, sacrifice his life for Ammon’s.

His father was angry and threatened to kill his son.  Ammon, always the faithful servant, stood between them.  He informs the king he will not slay his son.  Then, missionary Ammon takes over. 

His son had repented of his sins and it would be better for him to fall.  His soul had been saved.  It would be worse for Lamoni’s father.  If he killed his son in anger, he would be killing an innocent man.  His blood would cry for vengeance and the king’s soul could not be saved.

12  ¶ He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Exodus 21:12 (Emphasis mine)

17  ¶ And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 24:17 (Emphasis mine)

19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 (Emphasis mine)

15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 3:15 (Emphasis mine)

8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 Revelation 21:8 (Emphasis mine)

19  Now when Ammon had said these words unto him, he answered him, saying: I know that if I should slay my son, that I should shed innocent blood; for it is thou that hast sought to destroy him.

20  And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon.  But Ammon withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not use it.

21  Now when the king saw that Ammon could slay him, he began to plead with Ammon that he would spare his life.

22  But Ammon raised his sword, and said unto him: Behold, I will smite thee except thou wilt grant unto me that my brethren may be cast out of prison.

23  Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom.

Alma 20:19-23 (Emphasis mine)

Lamoni’s father had no intention of killing him.  He wants to kill Ammon because he believes Ammon ultimately wants to destroy him.

Lamoni’s father attacks Ammon, but Ammon struck back and smote his arm, making it useless.  Now the king is at Ammon’s mercy.  Ammon demands the king will release his brethren from prison, or he will kill him.

We have an interesting situation.  On the one hand, we have the great and powerful king over all the land.  On the other, we have a single Nephite, the “son of a liar.”  (verse 13).  It is Ammon who know has the power. The king is so fearful, he is willing to give up half of his kingdom for his life, even though Ammon had already told him what he wants. 

Through this example, we see where real power lies.  It does not lie with earthly kings and rulers.  The real power lies with the faithful and righteous servant of the Lord.

24  Now when Ammon saw that he had wrought upon the old king according to his desire, he said unto him: If thou wilt grant that my brethren may be cast out of prison, and also that Lamoni may retain his kingdom, and that ye be not displeased with him, but grant that he may do according to his own desires in whatsoever thing he thinketh, then will I spare thee; otherwise I will smite thee to the earth.

25  Now when Ammon had said these words, the king began to rejoice because of his life.

26  And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer that my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and forever; and I will govern him no more—

27  And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be cast out of prison, and thou and thy brethren may come unto me, in my kingdom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee.  For the king was greatly astonished at the words which he had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni, therefore he was desirous to learn them.

Alma 20:23-27 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon repeats that he wants his brethren released from prison, but then adds another condition.  Leave Lamoni alone.  Let him continue to rule his kingdom.  Let him do what he believes is right.  If these things are done, Lamoni’s father may live.

Apparently Lamoni was watching this quietly, letting Ammon do what he wanted.  I am sure Lamoni had full faith and confidence in his servant, Ammon, who was an even greater servant of God.

The king rejoiced that his life was saved, but then he started actually seeing the situation as it was.  Ammon could have had earthly power.  He rejected that.  Lamoni’s father realized that freedom for Ammon’s brethren and ensuring his son’s safety was all that mattered to Ammon.  He saw Ammon’s love for his son. 

He granted Ammon’s requests, but then he adds a request.  After Ammon and his brethren are free, he wants them to visit him.  He wanted to learn more about the teachings of this amazing man.

Describing this event, Richard Bushman wrote:

“Lamoni's father reacted like Laman of old in drawing his sword against his son and then Ammon, and when Ammon overpowered him, the old king cowered before the missionary's greater power, again as Laman did before Nephi (Alma 16:20-24). But it was not Ammon's physical superiority that impressed the king; it was the love for the king's son that astonished him exceedingly (Alma 20:26). When another set of missionaries offered to serve Lamoni's father, he remembered this love and wanted to listen. Ammon's generosity, as well as his words, troubled the king, and he was ready to hear more (Alma 22:3). The willing service and acts of generosity and love, so contrary to the Lamanite stereotypes of the Nephites, got through the armor and touched the hearts of the two kings.” [1]   (Emphasis mine)

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[1] The Lamanite View of Book of Mormon History, Richard L. Bushman, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 13, 2011.

Alma 20:1-12

Chapter 20

The Lord sends Ammon to Middoni to deliver his imprisoned brethren—Ammon and Lamoni meet Lamoni's father, who is king over all the land—Ammon compels the old king to approve the release of his brethren. About 90 B.C.

1  AND it came to pass that when they had established a church in that land, that king Lamoni desired that Ammon should go with him to the land of Nephi, that he might show him unto his father.

2  And the voice of the Lord came to Ammon, saying: Thou shalt not go up to the land of Nephi, for behold, the king will seek thy life; but thou shalt go to the land of Middoni; for behold, thy brother Aaron, and also Muloki and Ammah are in prison.

3  Now it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this, he said unto Lamoni: Behold, my brother and brethren are in prison at Middoni, and I go that I may deliver them.

Alma 20:1-3 (Emphasis mine)

It didn’t take long for a church to be established among Lamoni’s subjects.  Once that had been done, he wanted to take Ammon to meet his father.

The Lord told Ammon this wasn’t a good idea.  He wanted Ammon dead.  Instead, he was told that his brother Aaron and two others who were with him were in prison. 

He told this to Lamoni.  He needed to go and do what he could to get them released.  Lamoni proved to be a true friend to Ammon.

4  Now Lamoni said unto Ammon: I know, in the strength of the Lord thou canst do all things.  But behold, I will go with thee to the land of Middoni; for the king of the land of Middoni, whose name is Antiomno, is a friend unto me; therefore I go to the land of Middoni, that I may flatter the king of the land, and he will cast thy brethren out of prison.  Now Lamoni said unto him: Who told thee that thy brethren were in prison?

5  And Ammon said unto him: No one hath told me, save it be God; and he said unto me—Go and deliver thy brethren, for they are in prison in the land of Middoni.

6  Now when Lamoni had heard this he caused that his servants should make ready his horses and his chariots.

7  And he said unto Ammon: Come, I will go with thee down to the land of Middoni, and there I will plead with the king that he will cast thy brethren out of prison.

Alma 20:4-7 (Emphasis mine)

When Lamoni learned why Ammon wanted to go to Middoni, his first response is to tell Ammon he can help.  He knows the king and can flatter him and get him to release Ammon’s brethren. 

Lamoni’s use of the word “flatter” is an interesting choice.  While it can have negative connotations (insincere praise, for example), it has other meanings.  The way it is used, we should read it to mean that he would praise the king and use language he knows will make the king more receptive to Ammon’s request.

Then, Lamoni asked who told Ammon his brethren were in prison.  Ammon responded that he was told this by God.

Ammon immediately got the horse and chariots ready.  He is ready to go and get Ammon’s brethren freed.  As they travel, they have an unexpected experience.

8  And it came to pass that as Ammon and Lamoni were journeying thither, they met the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.

9  And behold, the father of Lamoni said unto him: Why did ye not come to the feast on that great day when I made a feast unto my sons, and unto my people?

10  And he also said: Whither art thou going with this Nephite, who is one of the children of a liar?

11  And it came to pass that Lamoni rehearsed unto him whither he was going, for he feared to offend him.

12  And he also told him all the cause of his tarrying in his own kingdom, that he did not go unto his father to the feast which he had prepared.

Alma 20:8-12 (Emphasis mine)

Whom should they meet, but the last person they wanted to meet – Lamoni’s father.  Remember, Ammon’s been warned he wants to kill him.  And, he wasn’t very happy with Lamoni.

Why did he miss his feast for his sons and the people?  He should have been there.  To make matters worse he was with, of all people, a Nephite, the child of a liar (Nephi).  The bitterness of the family break up is strong even half a millennium later.

Remember the tradition among the Lamanites:

12  [The Lamanites] were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this—Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;

13  And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord—therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness.

14  And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.

15  And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.

16  And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.

17  And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.

Mosiah 10:12-17 (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley wrote about this encounter.

“Now here is a very dramatic situation right out of Oedipus. Verse 8: ‘They met the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.’ He was the sachem, the high king. He gave a real speech, and this shows you that the Lamanites had a case. They really believed this, and this is the point at which the Lamanites turn. They now start to become the righteous people. They were justified in their own eyes in what they did because here was the king, and he couldn't stand Nephites. He said they have betrayed us, tricked us, and outsmarted us all the time. This was the point because the Nephites did outsmart them. They would have a great resentment against that.

“Verse 9: ‘Why did ye not come to the feast on that great day when I made a feast unto my sons, and unto my people?’ Well, the feast of the king is compulsory wherever you go…

“You must come to the feast, and you must bring something with you. No one shall come empty handed. You had to bring your offerings of lamb or doves, etc. You had to bring food with you, and they had the great feast … Now this is the case the Lamanites make out for themselves. This is a skillful history, too. It's like the telling of a saga. The language is, too.” [1] (Emphasis mine)                           

Lamoni did his best to explain things to his father.  But, he wasn’t very successful.

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[1] Lecture 52: Alma 19-22, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 12, 2011.