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