Ammon, Part II, A Story of Tender Mercies

Image by: Josh Cotton (www.wikimedia.org)

Last we saw the four sons of King Mosiah; Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni had given up their father's kingdom for a chance to preach the gospel to their mortal enemies, the Lamanites.  They had packed up their bags filled with the spirit of God and began their missions for parts unknown. 

Ammon being the oldest of them, "...did administer unto 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."  Alma 17:18

Image: www.lds.org

I wonder what that brotherly goodbye was like.  After Priesthood blessings, words of wisdom and admonition, I picture hugs, smiles and probably many tears.  These boys had already been through so much together.  Now they were embarking on the greatest adventure of their lives, each alone with only God by their sides.

Ammon went to the land of Ishmael.  As he entered the borders of the land, the Lamanites took him and bound him.   This was the Lamanite custom as the scripture points out, "...to bind all the Nephites who fell into their hands and carry them before the king..." Alma 17:20   Great custom, huh?

At this point, the Nephite intruder would be taken before the King who would have four options.  The King could:

1.  kill them

2.  keep them held captive

3.  cast them into prison

4.  throw them out of his land. 

All of these things being done "according to his [the King's] will and pleasure."  Alma 17:21  

The King over the land of Ishmael at this time was a Lamanite named Lamoni.   The first thing King Lamoni asked of Ammon was "...If it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people." Alma 17:22.   

TENDER MERCY ALERT:  Don't you find it strange yet totally awesome that with all the frightful options that the King had at his disposal, he would simply ask Ammon if he would like to stay in his Kingdom?   I testify that the Lord blesses all those who are willing to serve Him!  

Ammon's response was "Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die. Alma 17:23    Of course the King was very pleased with this reply.  But remember as King he still had those 4 options!  Instead, he loosed the bands that tied Ammon. 

Here comes another TENDER MERCY ALERT:  The King asks Ammon if he would want to marry one of his daughters!!!!  What?  Of all his options, marrying the Nephite intruder off to one of his daughters, was not in the normal play book, I'm sure!

Ammon responds in all humility that he could not take a daughter to wife, but that he would be a servant to the King.   Lamoni agrees and so Ammon sets off with the rest of the servants to guard and care for the King's flocks. 

After only 3 days of service, Ammon just going about his business, takes the flocks to a place where they could drink water.  This place was called Sebus and was where all Lamanites would have taken their flocks to do the same thing.  I can picture in my mind the busy hubbub of comings and goings there.

While the animals were receiving water, another group of Lamanites who had been at the same place watering their own flocks decides to scatter the flocks that Ammon and the others were tending to.  The flocks went in every direction.

I always like to picture myself in these situations.  Can you imagine you have been on the job 3 days among these people who really are your adversary, you are trying to impress the King and some group of hooligans come along and make all the animals you are in charge of, run away! 

The other servants who were with Ammon began to be afraid and said, "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." Alma 17:28

I can picture sheep everywhere, servants crying in fear of their lives and Ammon composed and full of the spirit as ever he could be.  As a matter of fact, the scriptures say that Ammon 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 my words." Alma 17:29

Ammon was not puffed up within himself because of pride, so that he could be the big man and save the day.  He was swollen with joy because he could see this situation would win over the hearts of the people and then if he won over their hearts HE COULD TEACH THEM THE GOSPEL!  Which was his only priority in the first place!

Ammon so full of positivity says, "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." Alma 17:31 

And that is exactly what they did.  The servants followed Ammon and they rushed forth "with much swiftness" Alma 17:32  and gathered all the flocks together again at the place of water. 

Another TENDER MERCY ALERT:  Only with the hand of the Lord and the total faith of Ammon, could these flocks have been gathered all back together so quickly or at all.  Another miracle!

Just as the flocks were again together, the hooligans that scattered them in the first place came back.  Annoying and ridiculous!  Ammon gave swift direction to his fellow servants, "Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not, and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks."  Alma 17:33.  Of course the servants jumped on Ammon's words and did exactly as he commanded. 

Ammon went up against this terrible group and the scriptures state "...they were in number not a few." Alma 17:34  and "they delighted in the destruction of their brethren." Alma 17:35.  What a wicked bunch!

Of course these guys did not fear Ammon, just one lone guy.  What they did NOT know however, was anything about the Lord or the faithfulness of this young Nephite!

Image: www.lds.org

Ammon stood up.  At first he cast stones at them with his sling (aka David & Goliath).  The scriptures say that Ammon had "mighty power".  He actually killed a few of them.  After he did this, the group "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 17:36

As every single Lamanite lifted up his club to hit him, Ammon would cut off their arms with his sword.  "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.  Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew non, 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."  Alma 17:37 

Another TENDER MERCY ALERT:  Of course Ammon was strong, but could any mortal have been that strong in and of himself? Of course not!  The Lord was there, helping him, strengthening him and fulfilling the promise he had made to Ammon's father that he would be safe in the land of the Lamanites. 

After the group was driven away, Ammon simply returned to watering the flocks and returned them to the King's pasture.  The arms were then carried into the king for a testimony and proof of the things which had happened that day.

King Lamoni listened to the stories of his servants as they recounted everything that had happened.  He learned of the faithfulness of Ammon and also the great strength and power that Ammon had displayed against the enemies.  King Lamoni was "astonished exceedingly." Alma 18:2

King Lamoni hearing all of this, knew that Ammon indeed must be the Great Spirit of whom their Lamanite forefathers had spoken.   Lamoni's conscience must have begun to prick him because he began to fear greatly because of his previous sins.

In the space of three short days, tender mercy after tender mercy had occurred:  Ammon found favor with the King of the Lamanites, brought the King's flocks back to safety, endeared himself to the King's servants, calmed their fears and nerves, and withstood a whole group of Lamanite killers.

Ammon now has this people right where he wants them.....

What tender mercies have you received from the Lord today?