Alma 17:31-39

31  And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.

32  And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.

33  And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.

34  Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.

Alma 17:31-34 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon realized this is the opportunity for which he was looking.  His fellow servants feared for their lives.  Under his leadership, he got them together and found the sheep. 

This angered those who scattered the sheep.  They were ready to do it again.  Ammon stood before them ready to protect the sheep. 

As was pointed out in my last post, this scattering of the sheep was a part of a “game” being played.  This was not as violent as other acts, especially against the Nephites.

Duane Boyce writes that this form of violence was a way of life for many Lamanites. 

“So about the time of the missionary labors of the sons of Mosiah, in addition to waging large-scale war against the Nephites from time to time, the Lamanites also engaged in a violent form of banditry—‘robbing and plundering’ the Nephites, and actually taking delight in murdering them. It’s also relevant in this context to remember that Ammon was threatened with death twice while among the Lamanites, and that he was spared only through the power of the Lord (see Alma 17:34–37; 19:14–20; Mosiah 28:7).

“In sum, prior to their conversion, the Lamanites were a people who for centuries had: (1) hated the Nephites; (2) waged aggressive war from time to time to destroy them; (3) sought to murder the Nephites and actually “delighted in” and “loved” murdering them; and (4) sought to plunder and rob the Nephites to gain gold and silver without labor.”[i] (Emphasis mine)

35  Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.

36  But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they could not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.

Alma 17:35-36 (Emphasis mine)

It is not surprising Ammon knew how to fight back.  First, he knew he would be protected by the Lord.  Next, we find that Ammon was most likely prepared.  A. Brent Maxwell writes that “[t]he story of Ammon defending King Lamoni's flocks may also illustrate the advantage Ammon had (as the son of King Mosiah) in receiving superior military training and weapons (see Alma 17:7—Ammon was extremely well armed when he started his journey; see also Alma 17:36­-37).”[ii] (Emphasis mine)

38  Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew none save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few.

39  And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done.

Alma 17:35-39 (Emphasis mine)

Seeing they were losing by stones, they went against Ammon with the sword.  Ammon fought back bravely.  Only the leader of the band was killed.  He cut off arms of the rest. 

Let’s look at this custom of fighting with the sword and cutting off arms in war.

From the article Swords in the Book of Mormon, Hamblin and Merrill write:

“The second major incident involving swords is the story of Ammon and the brigands at the waters of Sebus (see Alma 17:26-39, ca. 90 B.C.). While defending the flocks of King Lamoni, Ammon was attacked by a band of brigands who had been marauding in the region. He killed a number of them at long range with his sling, after which ‘they came forth with clubs to slay him. But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword’ (Alma 17:36-37). This incident is important since it clearly indicates that Nephite swords were edged weapons used for cutting. Thrusting or stabbing with swords is rarely mentioned in the Book of Mormon.  The weapon is generally ‘raised’ and is used to smite,’ which imply a cutting action, as explicitly described in the incident with Ammon.

“Ammon's sword technique deserves some attention … in most situations one would expect a sword to make a deep gash but not actually to sever the arm. In order to sever an arm with a sword, the sword must be extremely sharp, must be swung swiftly, and must strike against a limb that is either somehow fixed, or that is moving toward the sword blade.

“Thus Ammon's sword technique makes perfect military sense. He waits for the enemy to attack him with his club. As the club is raised and brought down swiftly toward Ammon, Ammon swings his sword in a fast powerful blow aimed at the forearm. The combination of the attacker's swing toward Ammon and the force of Ammon's own swing is sufficient to sever the forearm. Thus, according to the Book of Mormon, Ammon waited for precisely the right moment to initiate his arm-severing sword technique with maximum efficacy against his enemy.”[iii] (Emphasis mine)

Yerman writes about the cultural pattern of cutting off an enemy’s arm.

Once the battle ends, Ammon goes back to taking care of the King’s sheep.  They are watered and cared for.  They then returned the sheep to the King’s pasture. 

I would think that the story of what happened has gone before them.  The King had to be waiting for their return.  After their work was done, they went into the King, carrying the arms of the enemy as their trophy.

“The Book of Mormon story about Ammon smiting off the arms of the Lamanite thieves who scattered King Lamoni's flocks fits a cultural pattern known from pre-Spanish Mesoamerica. Cutting off an enemy's arm in battle not only rendered him utterly helpless but also netted the victor a grisly trophy to carry from the scene of battle that would validate his prowess in hand-to-hand combat. Documents from Mexico and Guatemala reveal such a pre-Columbian custom.” ^[iv] (Emphasis mine)

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[i]Were the Ammonites Pacifists? Duane Boyce, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 3, 2011.

[ii] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 3, 2011.

[iii]Swords in the Book of Mormon, William J. Hamblin, and A. Brent Merrill, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 3, 2011.

[iv]Ammon and the Mesoamerican Custom of Smiting off Arms, Bruce H. Yerman, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 3, 2011.

Alma 17:18-30

We now follow Ammon on his missionary journeys.

18  Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout the land.

19  And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.

Alma 17:18-19 (Emphasis mine)

We read that Ammon did play an important role.  Richard Dilworth Rust described it this way:  “Although Aaron appears to have been the eldest of the four, in their journey Ammon is their leader but still their servant … In their journey, the second son, Ammon, is their leader but still is their servant (he was ‘the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them’; Alma 17:18).” (Emphasis mine). 

His travels take him to the land of Ishmael.  Here he will be dealing with descendents of Ishmael.  John L. Sorenson wrote: 

“The tribe of the Ishmaelites also appears to have maintained some autonomy, according to the account of Lamoni, who was king of the people occupying ‘the land of Ishmael.’ The fact that the land was ‘called after the sons of Ishmael’ (Alma 17:19) suggests that Ishmaelite descendants predominantly occupied it or at least had originally done so. More explicitly, Lamoni is reported to have been ‘a descendant of Ishmael’ (Alma 17:21).”  (Emphasis mine)

20  And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him and bound him, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites who fell into their hands, and carry them before the king; and thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them, or to retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast them out of his land, according to his will and pleasure.

21  And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a descendant of Ishmael.

Alma 17:20-21 (Emphasis mine)

It didn’t take long before Ammon was caught, tied up, and taken before the king to learn his fate.  I would think that this was something Ammon would have expected because there is no mention of his attempting to prevent capture.

22  And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people.

23  And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.

Alma 17:22-23 (Emphasis mine)

The King’s question to Ammon (did he want to dwell among the Lamanites) seems a strange first question. There was, no doubt, more to the questioning of Ammon then this one question.  I believe that his questioning of Ammon finally led to this point.  Ammon gave him the response he wanted.

24  And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.

25  But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant.  Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni.  And it came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.

Alma 17:24-25 (Emphasis mine)

We see just how pleased King Lamoni was with Ammon’s response.  He offered one of his daughters to him to take as a wife.

I would think that the King was surprised at his response.  I again turn to Richard Dilworth Rust:  “On arrival in Lamoni's court, Ammon, a king's son, declares his willingness to leave royalty behind him and ‘to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die’ (Alma 17:23). Offered the possibility of earthly reward (taking one of Lamoni's daughters to wife), Ammon opts instead to be the king's servant.” (Emphasis mine)

26  And after he had been in the service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of water, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—

27  Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.

Alma 17:26-27 (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley writes about this incident.

“It looks like it was a regular custom. So it was no secret to anyone; this was not an ambush but something to be expected. But the king's own flocks? How could they get away with that? Didn't he have enough men to protect them if this happened regularly? Well, for one thing the Lamanites played the game for sport; it was more than meat that they were after, for ‘they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king’ (Alma 17:35). They thought it was great sport.” (Emphasis mine)

Lecture 51: Alma 17-19, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 2, 2011.

So, here are these guys playing their “chase away the sheep” game.  It didn’t matter that they were playing with the King’s sheep. 

28  Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men.  And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already.

29  Now they wept because of the fear of being slain.  Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow–servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow–servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.

30  And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.

Alma 17:28-30 (Emphasis mine)

This had happened before.  We know this because the servants are convinced the King will slay them as he had others when this happened.  They were so upset, they were in tears.

Ammon was full of joy!  He knew this was a situation where he would be able to win the hearts of his servants.  This would help when he preached the gospel.

I again turn to the words of Hugh Nibley.

“What insanity is this, the king kills his own servants for losing a contest that had been acted out before? In fact, 'it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of Sebus and scatter the flocks of the people,' keeping what they could for themselves, 'it being a practice of plunder among them' (Alma 18:7). . . . It should be clear that we are dealing with a sort of game; a regular practice, following certain rules. . . .” (Emphasis mine)

Appendix: Echoes and Evidences from the Writings of Hugh Nibley, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 2, 2011.

Unfortunately, Ammon was not in the mood to play.   He took his role as the King’s servant very seriously. 

We’ll read about his response in my next post.

Alma 17:10-17

10  And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted.  And they were comforted.

11  And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

12  And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.

Alma 17:10-12 (Emphasis mine)

The group prayed to the Lord and received an answer.  I can’t help but think it wasn’t quite what they hoped.

They were told that they had to be “…patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me…” (verse 11).  In answer to their prayer, they were told there would be “afflictions” as they went forward.  Even so, they were to be patient during these times so they would be good examples.  Through the examples they set, they would be “… instrument[s] … my hands unto the salvation of many souls.”  (verse 11).

Successful preaching could have the added benefit of fewer wars. (see previous post), Let us further explore the writings of John Tvedtnes.

“The Book of Mormon stresses that they were going to ‘a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them’ (Alma 17:14). Many long years of war had taken their toll on the Nephites. Taking young men away from agricultural and other pursuits for military service undoubtedly had an adverse effect on the economy, in addition to the loss of life. If the sons of Mosiah could somehow change the hatred of the Lamanites for the Nephites to an acceptance of the Nephites as brothers in the gospel, this would certainly improve the lot of both peoples.”

The Sons of Mosiah: Emissaries of Peace, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 1, 2011

3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Romans 5:3-4 (Emphasis mine)

4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:4 (Emphasis mine)

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (Emphasis mine)

2  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (Emphasis mine)

24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2 Timothy 2:24 (Emphasis mine)

2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:2 (Emphasis mine)

2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4 (Emphasis mine)

19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20 (Emphasis mine)

Even knowing there would be afflictions and suffering, they moved forward.  They went forth with courage and faith, ready to preach the word to the Lamanites. 

13  And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.

Alma 17:13 (Emphasis mine)

The point-of-no-return had been reached.  There were ready to enter into the land of the Lamanites.  At this time, the group separated and went their own way, being guided by the Spirit (see verse 10).

37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38 (Emphasis mine)

14  And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands.

15  Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance.

16  Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption.

17  Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and went forth among them, every man alone, according to the word and power of God which was given unto him.

Alma 17:14-17 (Emphasis mine)

These verses seem to break the narrative.  We have the account that they each went their way (verse 13).  Then we read a description of the Lamanites, portraying them in a very poor light (verses 14-15).  The next two verses repeat what we have already been told.  These verses are most likely “editorial comments” by Mormon. 

While the Nephites tended to have this negative image of the Lamanites as a ferocious people, from the Lamanite perspective, they believed they were justified for their wars and hatred of the Nephites.  The problems go back the hatred of Laman and Lemuel for Nephi.

“The Nephite record gives a further explanation for those wars, in words directly quoted from Lamanite documents. In 63 B.C., Ammoron the Lamanite king wrote to Moroni about a prisoner exchange and explained why they fought: ‘For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them’ (Alma 54:17). The war would stop, Ammoron said to Moroni, if you ‘lay down your arms, and subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth rightly belong’ (Alma 54:18). Ammoron referred, of course, to Laman's complaint that Nephi ‘thinks to rule over us,’ when Laman himself claimed the right of rulership.

“…the Lamanite response followed the line of the ancient story. How were the Nephites to be stopped from their habitual robbery of their brethren? Bind them, smite them, kill them. The father of Lamoni turned on Ammon with a sword, and that was always the way. Nephi said his brothers' hearts were like flint, and the most common Nephite characterization of the Lamanites described them as ferocious. They were a ‘wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them’ (Alma 17:14). It was nearly impossible for many of the Nephites to see anything gentle or loving in Lamanite life, because the boundary between the two peoples was defined by the founding saga as one of perpetual war.”  (Emphasis mine)

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

The next post will begin to deal with the missionary activities of Ammon.