ALM 17:00 An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the
kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to
the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance--according to the record of
Alma. Comprising chapters 17 to 26 inclusive.
ALM 17:0 Ammon in the land of Ishmael--he becomes a servant to king
Lamoni--His heroic defense of the king's flocks.
ALM 17:1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of
Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he
met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.
ALM 17:2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first
appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his
brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the
Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they
were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures
diligently, that they might know the word of God.
ALM 17:3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and
fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of
revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of
God.
ALM 17:4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen
years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the
knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought
before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before
him.
ALM 17:5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their
journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in
body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in
the spirit.
ALM 17:6 Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave of their
father, Mosiah, in the first year of the judges; having refused the kingdom
which their father was desirous to confer upon them, and also this was the
minds of the people;
ALM 17:7 Nevertheless they departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and took
their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their
slings; and this they did that they might provide food for themselves while
in the wilderness.
ALM 17:8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which
they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God
unto the Lamanites.
ALM 17:9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness,
and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a
portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might
be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their
brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of
the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.
ALM 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.
ALM 17:11 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.
ALM 17:12 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.
ALM 17:13 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.
ALM 17:14 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.
ALM 17:15 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.
ALM 17:16 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.
ALM 17:17 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.
ALM 17:18 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.
ALM 17:19 And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after
the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.
ALM 17:20 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.
ALM 17:21 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.
ALM 17:22 And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in
the land among the Lamanites, or among his people.
ALM 17:23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people
for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.
ALM 17:24 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.
ALM 17:25 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.
ALM 17:26 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--
ALM 17:27 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.
ALM 17:28 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.
ALM 17:29 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.
ALM 17:30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the
afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.
ALM 17:31 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.
ALM 17:32 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.
ALM 17:33 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.
ALM 17:34 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.
ALM 17:35 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.
ALM 17:36 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.
ALM 17:37 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, insomuch that they began to be
astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in
number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm.
ALM 17:38 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.
ALM 17:39 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.
ALM 18:0 King Lamoni mistakes Ammon for the Great Spirit--He is taught
concerning the true God--Is overcome by the Spirit of the Lord.
ALM 18:1 And it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his servants should
stand forth and testify to all the things which they had seen concerning the
matter.
ALM 18:2 And when they had all testified to the things which they had seen,
and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in preserving his flocks, and
also of his great power in contending against those who sought to slay him,
he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Surely, this is more than a man.
Behold, is not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments
upon this people, because of their murders?
ALM 18:3 And they answered the king, and said: Whether he be the Great Spirit
or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he cannot be slain by
the enemies of the king; neither can they scatter the king's flocks when he
is with us, because of his expertness and great strength; therefore, we know
that he is a friend to the king. And now, O king, we do not believe that a
man has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.
ALM 18:4 And now, when the king heard these words, he said unto them: Now I
know that it is the Great Spirit; and he has come down at this time to
preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your brethren. Now
this is the Great Spirit of whom our fathers have spoken.
ALM 18:5 Now this was the tradition of Lamoni, which he had received from his
father, that there was a Great Spirit. Notwithstanding they believed in a
Great Spirit, they supposed that whatsoever they did was right; nevertheless,
Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying
his servants;
ALM 18:6 For he had slain many of them because their brethren had scattered
their flocks at the place of water; and thus, because they had had their
flocks scattered they were slain.
ALM 18:7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of
Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away
many that were scattered unto their own land, it being a practice of plunder
among them.
ALM 18:8 And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants,
saying: Where is this man that has such great power?
ALM 18:9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the
king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of
their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct
him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at
the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
ALM 18:10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and
his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon,
saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has
been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments
to execute them.
ALM 18:11 Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and I would desire
him that he come in unto me, but I durst not.
ALM 18:12 And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and
the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he
saw that the countenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to
return out of his presence.
ALM 18:13 And one of the king's servants said unto him, Rabbanah, which is,
being interpreted, powerful or great king, considering their kings to be
powerful; and thus he said unto him: Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to
stay.
ALM 18:14 Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him:
What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the king answered him
not for the space of an hour, according to their time, for he knew not what
he should say unto him.
ALM 18:15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest
thou of me? But the king answered him not.
ALM 18:16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of
God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he said unto him:
Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks,
and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote
off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants;
behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings?
ALM 18:17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great?
Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest
which is right, that will I do.
ALM 18:18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he
beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king
Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that
Great Spirit, who knows all things?
ALM 18:19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.
ALM 18:20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou
mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by
what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my
flocks--
ALM 18:21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever
thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard
thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they;
nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.
ALM 18:22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou
hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And
this is the thing that I desire of thee.
ALM 18:23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy
words. And thus he was caught with guile.
ALM 18:24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him:
Believest thou that there is a God?
ALM 18:25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that
meaneth.
ALM 18:26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?
ALM 18:27 And he said, Yea.
ALM 18:28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again:
Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which
are in heaven and in the earth?
ALM 18:29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in
the earth; but I do not know the heavens.
ALM 18:30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God dwells
and all his holy angels.
ALM 18:31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?
ALM 18:32 And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of
men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand
were they all created from the beginning.
ALM 18:33 And king Lamoni said: I believe all these things which thou hast
spoken. Art thou sent from God?
ALM 18:34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was
created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach
these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of
that which is just and true;
ALM 18:35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me
knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.
ALM 18:36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of
the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things
concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and
the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets,
even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.
ALM 18:37 And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and to
his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all
their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travail, and so forth.
ALM 18:38 And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman
and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate
unto them; and he expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the
time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time.
ALM 18:39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of
redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also
made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of
the Lord did he make known unto them.
ALM 18:40 And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and
expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words.
ALM 18:41 And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy;
according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi,
have upon me, and my people.
ALM 18:42 And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he
were dead.
ALM 18:43 And it came to pass that his servants took him and carried him in
unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay as if he were dead for the
space of two days and two nights; and his wife, and his sons, and his
daughters mourned over him, after the manner of the Lamanites, greatly
lamenting his loss.
ALM 19:0 A wonderful conversion--Abish the Lamanite woman--Lamanite king and
queen espouse the faith--Ammon establishes the church in Ishmael.
ALM 19:1 And it came to pass that after two days and two nights they were
about to take his body and lay it in a sepulchre, which they had made for the
purpose of burying their dead.
ALM 19:2 Now the queen having heard of the fame of Ammon, therefore she sent
and desired that he should come in unto her.
ALM 19:3 And it came to pass that Ammon did as he was commanded, and went in
unto the queen, and desired to know what she would that he should do.
ALM 19:4 And she said unto him: The servants of my husband have made it known
unto me that thou art a prophet of a holy God, and that thou hast power to do
many mighty works in his name;
ALM 19:5 Therefore, if this is the case, I would that ye should go in and see
my husband, for he has been laid upon his bed for the space of two days and
two nights; and some say that he is not dead, but others say that he is dead
and that he stinketh, and that he ought to be placed in the sepulchre; but as
for myself, to me he doth not stink.
ALM 19:6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was
under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast
away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the
light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness--yea,
this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having
been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his
soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was
carried away in God--
ALM 19:7 Therefore, what the queen desired of him was his only desire.
Therefore, he went in to see the king according as the queen had desired him;
and he saw the king, and he knew that he was not dead.
ALM 19:8 And he said unto the queen: He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God,
and on the morrow he shall rise again; therefore bury him not.
ALM 19:9 And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said unto him:
I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants;
nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.
ALM 19:10 And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding
faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all
the people of the Nephites.
ALM 19:11 And it came to pass that she watched over the bed of her husband,
from that time even until that time on the morrow which Ammon had appointed
that he should rise.
ALM 19:12 And it came to pass that he arose, according to the words of Ammon;
and as he arose, he stretched forth his hand unto the woman, and said:
Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou.
ALM 19:13 For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he
shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who
believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen
within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being
overpowered by the Spirit.
ALM 19:14 Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according to his
prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had been the cause of so much
mourning among the Nephites, or among all the people of God because of their
iniquities and their traditions, he fell upon his knees, and began to pour
out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his
brethren; and he was also overpowered with joy; and thus they all three had
sunk to the earth.
ALM 19:15 Now, when the servants of the king had seen that they had fallen,
they also began to cry unto God, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them
also, for it was they who had stood before the king and testified unto him
concerning the great power of Ammon.
ALM 19:16 And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the Lord, in
their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of
the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto
the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father--
ALM 19:17 Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it
known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to
the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay
prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and
supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had
happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to
believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to house,
making it known unto the people.
ALM 19:18 And they began to assemble themselves together unto the house of
the king. And there came a multitude, and to their astonishment, they beheld
the king, and the queen, and their servants prostrate upon the earth, and
they all lay there as though they were dead; and they also saw Ammon, and
behold, he was a Nephite.
ALM 19:19 And now the people began to murmur among themselves; some saying
that it was a great evil that had come upon them, or upon the king and his
house, because he had suffered that the Nephite should remain in the land.
ALM 19:20 But others rebuked them, saying: The king hath brought this evil
upon his house, because he slew his servants who had had their flocks
scattered at the waters of Sebus.
ALM 19:21 And they were also rebuked by those men who had stood at the waters
of Sebus and scattered the flocks which belonged to the king, for they were
angry with Ammon because of the number which he had slain of their brethren
at the waters of Sebus, while defending the flocks of the king.
ALM 19:22 Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of
Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went forth that
he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he lifted the sword to
smite him, behold, he fell dead.
ALM 19:23 Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said
unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according
to thy faith--therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord.
ALM 19:24 And it came to pass that when the multitude beheld that the man had
fallen dead, who lifted the sword to slay Ammon, fear came upon them all, and
they durst not put forth their hands to touch him or any of those who had
fallen; and they began to marvel again among themselves what could be the
cause of this great power, or what all these things could mean.
ALM 19:25 And it came to pass that there were many among them who said that
Ammon was the Great Spirit, and others said he was sent by the Great Spirit;
ALM 19:26 But others rebuked them all, saying that he was a monster, who had
been sent from the Nephites to torment them.
ALM 19:27 And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by the Great
Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it was the Great
Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who had ever delivered them out
of their hands; and they said that it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed
so many of their brethren, the Lamanites.
ALM 19:28 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.
ALM 19:29 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!
ALM 19:30 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.
ALM 19:31 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.
ALM 19:32 But there were many among them who would not hear his words;
therefore they went their way.
ALM 19:33 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.
ALM 19:34 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.
ALM 19:35 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.
ALM 19:36 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.
ALM 20:0 Ammon and king Lamoni journey to Middoni--the meet Lamoni's father
who is king over all the land--Hostile at first, he relents, and grants great
favors.
ALM 20:1 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.
ALM 20:2 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.
ALM 20:3 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.
ALM 20:4 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?
ALM 20:5 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.
ALM 20:6 Now when Lamoni had heard this he caused that his servants should
make ready his horses and his chariots.
ALM 20:7 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.
ALM 20:8 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.
ALM 20:9 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?
ALM 20:10 And he also said: Whither art thou going with this Nephite, who is
one of the children of a liar?
ALM 20:11 And it came to pass that Lamoni rehearsed unto him whither he was
going, for he feared to offend him.
ALM 20:12 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.
ALM 20:13 And now when Lamoni had rehearsed unto him all these things,
behold, to his astonishment, his father was angry with him, and said: Lamoni,
thou art going to deliver these Nephites, who are sons of a liar. Behold, he
robbed our fathers; and now his children are also come amongst us that they
may, by their cunning and their lyings, deceive us, that they again may rob
us of our property.
ALM 20:14 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.
ALM 20:15 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.
ALM 20:16 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.
ALM 20:17 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.
ALM 20:18 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.
ALM 20:19 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.
ALM 20:20 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.
ALM 20:21 Now when the king saw that Ammon could slay him, he began to plead
with Ammon that he would spare his life.
ALM 20:22 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.
ALM 20:23 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.
ALM 20:24 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.
ALM 20:25 Now when Ammon had said these words, the king began to rejoice
because of his life.
ALM 20:26 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--
ALM 20:27 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.
ALM 20:28 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni proceeded on their
journey towards the land of Middoni. And Lamoni found favor in the eyes of
the king of the land; therefore the brethren of Ammon were brought forth out
of prison.
ALM 20:29 And when Ammon did meet them he was exceedingly sorrowful, for
behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of
being bound with strong cords. And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and
all kinds of afflictions; nevertheless they were patient in all their
sufferings.
ALM 20:30 And, as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands
of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people; therefore they would not
hearken unto their words, and they had cast them out, and had smitten them,
and had driven them from house to house, and from place to place, even until
they had arrived in the land of Middoni; and there they were taken and cast
into prison, and bound with strong cords, and kept in prison for many days,
and were delivered by Lamoni and Ammon.
ALM 21:00 An account of the preaching of Aaron, and Muloki, and their
brethren, to the Lamanites. Comprising chapters 21 to 26 inclusive.
ALM 21:0 Rejected by the Amalekites, Aaron and Muloki go to Middoni--They are
imprisoned--Their release and missionary labors--Ammon's further
success--Synagogues built.
ALM 21:1 Now when Ammon and his brethren separated themselves in the borders
of the land of the Lamanites, behold Aaron took his journey towards the land
which was called by the Lamanites, Jerusalem, calling it after the land of
their fathers' nativity; and it was away joining the borders of Mormon.
ALM 21:2 Now the Lamanites and the Amalekites and the people of Amulon had
built a great city, which was called Jerusalem.
ALM 21:3 Now the Lamanites of themselves were sufficiently hardened, but the
Amalekites and the Amulonites were still harder; therefore they did cause the
Lamanites that they should harden their hearts, that they should wax strong
in wickedness and their abominations.
ALM 21:4 And it came to pass that Aaron came to the city of Jerusalem, and
first began to preach to the Amalekites. And he began to preach to them in
their synagogues, for they had built synagogues after the order of the
Nehors; for many of the Amalekites and the Amulonites were after the order of
the Nehors.
ALM 21:5 Therefore, as Aaron entered into one of their synagogues to preach
unto the people, and as he was speaking unto them, behold there arose an
Amalekite and began to contend with him, saying: What is that thou hast
testified? Hast thou seen an angel? Why do not angels appear unto us? Behold
are not this people as good as thy people?
ALM 21:6 Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish. How knowest thou
the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest thou that we have cause to
repent? How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have
built sanctuaries, and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God. We
do believe that God will save all men.
ALM 21:7 Now Aaron said unto him: Believest thou that the Son of God shall
come to redeem mankind from their sins?
ALM 21:8 And the man said unto him: We do not believe that thou knowest any
such thing. We do not believe in these foolish traditions. We do not believe
that thou knowest of things to come, neither do we believe that thy fathers
and also that our fathers did know concerning the things which they spake, of
that which is to come.
ALM 21:9 Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the
coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that
there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and
sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood.
ALM 21:10 And it came to pass as he began to expound these things unto them
they were angry with him, and began to mock him; and they would not hear the
words which he spake.
ALM 21:11 Therefore, when he saw that they would not hear his words, he
departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a village which was called
Ani-Anti, and there he found Muloki preaching the word unto them; and also
Ammah and his brethren. And they contended with many about the word.
ALM 21:12 And it came to pass that they saw that the people would harden
their hearts, therefore they departed and came over into the land of Middoni.
And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which
they taught.
ALM 21:13 Nevertheless, Aaron and a certain number of his brethren were taken
and cast into prison, and the remainder of them fled out of the land of
Middoni unto the regions round about.
ALM 21:14 And those who were cast into prison suffered many things, and they
were delivered by the hand of Lamoni and Ammon, and they were fed and
clothed.
ALM 21:15 And they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they were
delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus they had suffered.
ALM 21:16 And they 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.
ALM 21:17 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.
ALM 21:18 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni returned from the land of
Middoni to the land of Ishmael, which was the land of their inheritance.
ALM 21:19 And king Lamoni would not suffer that Ammon should serve him, or be
his servant.
ALM 21:20 But he caused that there should be synagogues built in the land of
Ishmael; and he caused that his people, or the people who were under his
reign, should assemble themselves together.
ALM 21:21 And he did rejoice over them, and he did teach them many things.
And he did also declare unto them that they were a people who were under him,
and that they were a free people, that they were free from the oppressions of
the king, his father; for that his father had granted unto him that he might
reign over the people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land
round about.
ALM 21:22 And he also declared unto them that they might have the liberty of
worshiping the Lord their God according to their desires, in whatsoever place
they were in, if it were in the land which was under the reign of king
Lamoni.
ALM 21:23 And Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it came to
pass that he did teach them all things concerning things pertaining to
righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with all diligence; and they
gave heed unto his word, and they were zealous for keeping the commandments
of God.
ALM 22:0 Aaron in the land of Nephi--The king and all his household
converted--Country divided between Nephites and Lamanites.
ALM 22:1 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.
ALM 22:2 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.
ALM 22:3 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.
ALM 22:4 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.
ALM 22:5 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.
ALM 22:6 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?
ALM 22:7 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.
ALM 22:8 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.
ALM 22:9 And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers
out of the land of Jerusalem?
ALM 22:10 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?
ALM 22:11 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.
ALM 22:12 And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe
his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto
the king--how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him
commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen.
ALM 22:13 And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of
Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the
plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world,
through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
ALM 22:14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself;
but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith
and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that
the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be
swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things
unto the king.
ALM 22:15 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.
ALM 22:16 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.
ALM 22:17 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:
ALM 22:18 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.
ALM 22:19 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.
ALM 22:20 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.
ALM 22:21 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.
ALM 22:22 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.
ALM 22:23 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.
ALM 22:24 Now there was a multitude gathered together because of the
commandment of the queen, and there began to be great murmurings among them
because of Aaron and his brethren.
ALM 22:25 But the king stood forth among them and administered unto them. And
they were pacified towards Aaron and those who were with him.
ALM 22:26 And it came to pass that when the king saw that the people were
pacified, he caused that Aaron and his brethren should stand forth in the
midst of the multitude, and that they should preach the word unto them.
ALM 22:27 And it came to pass that the king sent a proclamation throughout
all the land, amongst all his people who were in all his land, who were in
all the regions round about, which was bordering even to the sea, on the east
and on the west, and which was divided from the land of Zarahemla by a narrow
strip of wilderness, which ran from the sea east even to the sea west, and
round about on the borders of the seashore, and the borders of the wilderness
which was on the north by the land of Zarahemla, through the borders of
Manti, by the head of the river Sidon, running from the east towards the
west--and thus were the Lamanites and the Nephites divided.
ALM 22:28 Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the wilderness,
and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the wilderness on the west,
in the land of Nephi; yea, and also on the west of the land of Zarahemla, in
the borders by the seashore, and on the west in the land of Nephi, in the
place of their fathers' first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the
seashore.
ALM 22:29 And also there were many Lamanites on the east by the seashore,
whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the Nephites were nearly
surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless the Nephites had taken possession
of all the northern parts of the land bordering on the wilderness, at the
head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the
wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they
called Bountiful.
ALM 22:30 And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation, it
being so far northward that it came into the land which had been peopled and
been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken, which was discovered by the
people of Zarahemla, it being the place of their first landing.
ALM 22:31 And they came from there up into the south wilderness. Thus the
land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on the southward
was called Bountiful, it being the wilderness which is filled with all manner
of wild animals of every kind, a part of which had come from the land
northward for food.
ALM 22:32 And now, it was only the distance of a day and a half's journey for
a Nephite, on the line Bountiful and the land Desolation, from the east to
the west sea; and thus the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were
nearly surrounded by water, there being a small neck of land between the land
northward and the land southward.
ALM 22:33 And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited the land
Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea, and thus the Nephites in
their wisdom, with their guards and their armies, had hemmed in the Lamanites
on the south, that thereby they should have no more possession on the north,
that they might not overrun the land northward.
ALM 22:34 Therefore the Lamanites could have no more possessions only in the
land of Nephi, and the wilderness round about. Now this was wisdom in the
Nephites--as the Lamanites were an enemy to them, they would not suffer their
afflictions on every hand, and also that they might have a country whither
they might flee, according to their desires.
ALM 22:35 And now I, after having said this, return again to the account of
Ammon and Aaron, Omner and Himni, and their brethren.
ALM 23:0 Religious freedom is proclaimed--Many Lamanites
converted--Amalekites and Amulonites reject the truth--The Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
ALM 23:1 Behold, now it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites sent a
proclamation among all his people, that they should not lay their hands on
Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni, nor either of their brethren who should
go forth preaching the word of God, in whatsoever place they should be, in
any part of their land.
ALM 23:2 Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their
hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they
spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor
scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should
have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their
sanctuaries.
ALM 23:3 And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their
desires, for the king had been converted unto the Lord, and all his
household; therefore he sent his proclamation throughout the land unto his
people, that the word of God might have no obstruction, but that it might go
forth throughout all the land, that his people might be convinced concerning
the wicked traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced that
they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder,
nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness.
ALM 23:4 And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this
proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city, and
from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating
priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and
to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great
success.
ALM 23:5 And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea,
thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they
were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the
present time.
ALM 23:6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as
many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of
Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of
prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them--yea, I say unto you,
as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching,
and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
ALM 23:7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of
their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither
against any of their brethren.
ALM 23:8 Now, these are they who were converted unto the Lord:
ALM 23:9 The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Ishmael;
ALM 23:10 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of
Middoni;
ALM 23:11 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city of
Nephi;
ALM 23:12 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of
Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city of Lemuel, and
in the city of Shimnilom.
ALM 23:13 And these are the names of the cities of the Lamanites which were
converted unto the Lord; and these are they that laid down the weapons of
their rebellion, yea, all their weapons of war; and they were all Lamanites.
ALM 23:14 And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither were
any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their hearts, and also the hearts
of the Lamanites in that part of the land wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and
all their villages and all their cities.
ALM 23:15 Therefore, we have named all the cities of the Lamanites in which
they did repent and come to the knowledge of the truth, and were converted.
ALM 23:16 And now it came to pass that the king and those who were converted
were desirous that they might have a name, that thereby they might be
distinguished from their brethren; therefore the king consulted with Aaron
and many of their priests, concerning the name that they should take upon
them, that they might be distinguished.
ALM 23:17 And it came to pass that they called their names Anti-Nephi-Lehies;
and they were called by this name and were no more called Lamanites.
ALM 23:18 And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were
friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with
them, and the curse of God did no more follow them.
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