Anti-Nephi-Lehies...A New Name & A New Way of Life

 

Sometimes just one person can be a hero.  Other times, a group can do something so incredible that they are together classified as heroes. 

No finer group of heroes could there be than the Lamanites who were converted by the sons of Mosiah.  These people were FULLY converted to the Lord.  So converted that they NEVER did fall away from the Gospel.  They were ALL in! 

They were so righteous in fact that they laid down all of their weapons.  Every weapon that they had used to murder and fight and defend.  These weapons that were so comfortable in their hands, that they had probably used since their late youth.   How difficult must it have been for them to completely and utterly change their entire way of life!  No more murders or fighting!  Their 'weapons of rebellion' were laid down as it says in Alma 23:7.   They would no longer fight against God or against any of their brethren.  I can't think of a better definition of the word 'hero' than these converts.

I have often pondered about these Lamanite 'weapons of rebellion'.  How could I liken them somehow to my own life.  How can we liken these old Lamanite weapons to what we are experiencing today?

What rebellious weapons do we each have in our own personal arsenals that feel difficult if not impossible to lay down?

• What weapons do we lean on each day instead of turning to the Lord and our Heavenly Father? 
• What weapons do we use to fight against God on a daily basis? 
• Is one of our weapons that we choose to immerse our minds in inappropriate things via media, television, etc. 
• Maybe our weapon of choice is pride.  In that we think that everything should be OUR way, instead of HIS way?  
• Do we pull our swords of rebelliousness out at every turn? 
• What about not being quite able to submit ourselves and become compliant to all the ways of the Lord? 

Don't each of us have different weapons of rebellion in our own lives that we need to 'lay down' just as the converted Lamanites did.

As we continue our discussion of these heroes, seven entire cities/lands were converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ all because four young men (Ammon, Aaron, Omner & Himni) decided to change their own lives in a big way.  With this change of heart they gave up everything comfortable to preach and teach the Word of God to their (then) enemies.   Now enemies NO more.  An amazing number became converted to the ways of the Lord forever.

1. The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of ISHMAEL were converted.

2. The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of MIDDONI were converted.

3. The people of the Lamanites who were in the city of NEPHI were converted.

4. The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of SHILOM were converted.

5. The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of SHEMLON were converted.

6. The people of the Lamanites who were in the city of LEMUEL were converted.

7. The people of the Lamanites who were in the city of SHIMNILOM were converted.

What a leap of faith this must have been for these convert heroes.  To give up everything they had known their entire lives for the truth that they had just been taught.

The King (Lamoni's father) and those who had been converted wanted to be known by a new name.  One that would set them apart from their unconverted brethren.  The King consulted with Aaron and many of the priests concerning the name that they should take upon themselves.

"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." Alma 23:17

For many years I wondered about this name, why would these people want to be 'anti' anything?  In further study, the "Book of Mormon Reference Companion" (Dennis L. Largey General Editor) states in regard to the name Anti-Nephi-Lehies:  "The name "Anti" of "Anti-Nephi-Lehies" may be a reflex of the Egyptian nty "he of, the one of".  Thus rather than having the sense "against" it has the meaning "the one OF Nephi and Lehi."   Ahh....their new name meant they were one WITH their brethren in the Gospel, not against them!

These people were very industrious.  They became friendly with the Nephites and opened communication with them!  The Lord's hand has caused miracles to happen in the lives of these people.  Remember a few years earlier they were dire enemies AGAINST everything Nephite!

Picture this group of new converts, without weapons, without hatred, full of the love of their Heavenly Father, full of repentance, with hope and wonder of a new future.    Maybe now this group of heroes could rest and find a little peace.

There were, however, many unconverted Lamanites, very near, that were not feeling this urge for peace.  They were feeling just the opposite. Full of anger and hostility, they turned their rage and weapons toward the easiest target they could find.....the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.

Would the Anti-Nephi-Lehies in fear, pick up their weapons to fight again?  Would they be so afraid that they would have no choice but to buckle to the demands of their unrighteous brethren?  Where could they turn for help? 

Sometimes being fully converted to the Gospel and to the Lord, Jesus Christ, is not an easy road.  This group of heroes was new to it all.  How would they handle the biggest challenge of their new repentant lives?

PRINCIPLE POWER:

What principles did you discover in this section of the Book of Mormon?  Here's a few of my thoughts:

1.  Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ can work miracles with our lives, if we are willing to be pliable and do what is asked of us.  The Sons of Mosiah listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  They had a BIG dream to preach the Gospel to their enemies.  They and their families had faith that they would be safe and have success...and that is exactly what happened!  Nothing is impossible with help of our Savior and Father in Heaven!

2.  It took great courage for the Anti-Nephi-Lehies to put down their weapons of rebellion.  What weapons of rebellion do I hold in my personal arsenal?  Am I willing to release and let go of them and never lift them again?

3.  Do I have the courage to change my ways.  Do I have the strength and courage to turn my heart, mind and strength to the Lord Jesus Christ and to my Heavenly Father never wavering in my commitment?

The Lamanite King's Request of Aaron

What would the old Lamanite King request of Aaron?  This could have gone ALL bad...but instead another tender mercy!

The request made by the Lamanite King was the following..."I 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." Alma 22:3



image from www.lds.org

His request to Aaron was simple. "Where is your brother, Ammon?" Awesome! 

Aaron has a great reply. "Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way" Alma 21:4. 

The King was intrigued by Aaron's choice of words. "What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me." Alma 22:6

The King was also concerned about repentance and salvation.  Aaron began to teach and preach to the aged King. The King was receptive to his words. Can you imagine how Aaron must have felt? Such joy and probably relief! The King was teachable as he said "If now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe".  Alma 22:7

Aaron's heart rejoiced.  He began a great teaching discussion speaking of everything from the creation of Adam, the fall of Adam, the plan of redemption, Jesus Christ, faith, repentance, the atonement, resurrection and basically the whole plan of salvation from beginning to end.

After Aaron spoke these powerful words, the King wondered..."What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? 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? I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." Alma 22:16

Talk about a golden contact!!  

Aaron said with great conviction, "If thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest." Alma 22:16  

As Aaron said these words, the King did exactly what he was asked to do. He bowed down right then and there before the Lord on his knees and actually went a little further and laid down upon the earth and cried mightily saying:

"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." Alma 22:18

As the King said these words...he was struck as if he were dead.  Uh, oh...sound familiar? Here we go again.

In another deja vu moment, the servants ran and told the King's wife. She came in and saw the King laying on the ground as if he were dead and saw Aaron and his brothers standing as though they were the cause of the fall. She put 'two plus two' together assuming that Aaron had killed the King. She was very angry with them and commanded that her servants should take Aaron and his people and kill them.

The servants saw what had actually happened and so they would not do as the Queen asked because they saw the power with which Aaron spoke. As the Queen saw the fear of the servants, she began to fear too. So she told her servants to go find some other people that they would kill Aaron and his people.  She wasn't letting this go!

As Aaron realized the determination of this Queen and the hardness of the Lamanite people which he had seen first hand, he made a split second (smart!) decision.  Aaron 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." Alma 22:22.   WOW....another blessed miracle for a son of Mosiah.

Artist: James H. Fullmer
 

As the King stood he began to minister to his wife and the servants. The whole household was converted unto the Lord. Did that last sentence soak in?  Yes....the WHOLE household was converted unto the Lord!

A large group gathered together at the King's residence and many murmurings began among them. The King stood forth in front of them and caused that Aaron and his people should preach the word of God unto them. The king went further.

He caused a proclamation to be sent throughout the land, among all the people in the vast Kingdom that he ruled over. This proclamation said that no one could lay their hands on Ammon, Aaron, Omner or Himni, nor any of their brethren as they went forth preaching the word of God, in whatever place they should be in any part of their land. The proclamation went further.

It stated that no one could bind them, cast them into prison, spit upon them, hit them, or even cast them out of their synagogues. They couldn't scourge them or hit them with stones.  The brothers could have FULL access to their houses, their temples and their sanctuaries. They were basically given free and safe reign to preach the word of God and the gospel to whoever and wherever the Lord sent them!  Another tender and gigantic mercy of the Lord!

Aaron and his brethren went from city to city, from house to house, establishing churches, consecrating priests and teachers throughout the Land of the Lamanites. Thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, to believe in the traditions of the Nephites and taught the records and prophecies which had been handed down from generation to generation of Nephites.

"....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." Alma 23:6   They NEVER did fall away.

They became a righteous people...and all of this because four brothers decided to leave the comfort of their homes and go to a strange land of enemies to preach the Gospel in full faith.....no matter what the consequences.

PRINCIPLE POWER:

What principles did you discover in this section of the Book of Mormon?  Here are a few to consider:

1. Don't be afraid to approach someone about the Gospel. Aaron approached the powerful King because the Spirit directed him to. When the Spirit directs me, do I hesitate, ignore or listen and act?

2. Heavenly Father will always hear our prayers. Always. Even when you don't think he is listening. He is. The Spirit has taught this to me over and over in my life. Pray. Even when you don't want to, or don't think it will matter. It will matter and He will be there.

3.  Through all the hard work, road blocks, setbacks and tribulation that happened to Aaron and his brethren, great miracles were had.  In my mind, the greatest being the group of amazing Lamanites who embraced the gospel and NEVER did fall away from it.  Sometimes the greatest blessings come AFTER the trials.  I wonder if Aaron realized when he was sitting in prison being tormented that his greatest accomplishments would soon occur!  We need to look beyond our trials and disappointments.  Have faith in the Lord and our Heavenly Father and look to them for guidance.  The greatest things will happen after the trial of our faith!

4.  Tender mercies came abundantly to Aaron and his brothers.  Tender mercies can and do come to each one of us.  Sometimes we just don't realize it.  We think it's a 'coincidence' or just 'good luck'.  I testify that as we write down tender mercies that occur in our own lives, the spirit of the Lord will testify to each of us that they are NOT coincidence or luck.  They are gifts from the Lord.

Challenge:  For 30 days, put a pad of post-its by your bathroom mirror.  Each day, reflect and write each tender mercy that comes into your life on a post-it and attach it to your mirror.  You will be able to see the hand of the Lord working miracles in your life.  Sometimes we are so busy we don't recognize or realize it until it's spelled out in front of us!

 

The Rest of Aaron's Story...A story of Determination and Courage

Artist: James H. Fullner

Our last adventure included the freeing of Aaron and his friends from prison at the hands of his brother, Ammon and King Lamoni.  The end of that story?  I think not!  Why did Aaron get put in prison in the first place?

My thoughts trail back to the beginning of the story of the sons of Mosiah. 




Image from: LDS Book of Mormon Student Seminary Manual

They wanted to go amongst the Lamanite people to teach the gospel that they dearly loved.   Remember their parting?  How difficult it must have been to leave each other especially as they were embarking on unfamiliar enemy territory.

Image from: mormonchannel.org

 

Remember that Ammon had chosen to go to the land of Ishmael where he had met King Lamoni.  Ammon, through divine inspiration converted the King and his wife plus many, many more in this land.

On the other hand, as these brethren parted ways, Aaron took his journey towards the land called by the Lamanites, Jerusalem, named after their forefather's original birthplace.  This city, Jerusalem was impressive.  It had been built by the hands of the Lamanites, Amalekites and the Amulonites.  The Lamanites themselves were a very hardened group, but the Amalekites and Amulonites were even harder!  These people were strong in wickedness and abominations.  Just Aaron's luck that he would find himself in this most wicked city among these most wicked people!? 

However, Aaron was filled with the Holy Ghost and armed with his precious testimony.  He began to preach in the Lamanite synagogues. 

Aaron entered into one of these synagogues to teach and preach. There rose up an Amalekite who began to argue with him asking him many questions.   Can you picture that this guy with loads of questions speaking to Aaron in a very prideful and huffy manner?  Remember that Aaron was just a young man too, which adds even more drama to the story.

The Amalekite questions:
"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? 
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.
Alma 21:5-6

Having the spirit wrapped around him, Aaron could have lost his cool, been afraid or been tongue-tied, but instead he asked a simple question of the Amalekite:  
"Believest thou that the Son of God shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?" Alma 21:7

The Amalekite replied: "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."  Alma 21:8

With complete composure, Aaron calmly opened the Scriptures and spoke concerning the coming of Christ, and spoke concerning the resurrection of the dead.  He testified that there could be no redemption for mankind except thru the death and sufferings of Jesus Christ and thru the atonement of his blood.  As Aaron spoke of these sacred teachings, the group began to be VERY angry with him.  They began to mock him and they would not listen to any of the words he spoke. 

Aaron realized that his preaching was falling on deaf ears.  He left their synagogue and went to a village called Ani-Anti.  There he found Muloki, his friend, along with Ammah and his brethren, preaching the word of God.  They were contending with many about the Word of God in that place, as well.

These guys realized they were getting nowhere fast and so they traveled into the land of Middoni.  There they did preach the word of God to many people, but few believed their words.  Can you imagine their discouragement?  Can you imagine their disappointment?

At this point, to make matters worse, Aaron and some of his companions were taken into prison.  The remainder fled out of Middoni into the lands round about.

Aaron and his companions suffered greatly in prison until they were delivered by the hand of his brother Ammon and King Lamoni.

If it were me, I would have been re-thinking my plan to teach among the Lamanites.  Not a lot of success had come Aaron's way to this point.  But did he give up?  NO!  He went forth again declaring the word of God in EVERY synagogue of the Amalekites and in every assembly of the Lamanites were they could be admitted.  And guess what began to happen??

"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."  Alma 21:17 

This is a major principle alert!  These guys had not had much success to this point.  But they DID NOT give up.  Even after prison, they kept teaching and preaching and what happened?  Things began to change.  The Lord began to bless them and people started listening, learning and becoming teachable.  In our lives, when things may not be going well, we can't give up.  As we continue with our righteous endeavors, the Lord will bless us!

Let's talk about Ammon for a moment:
AMMON and King Lamoni went back to Ishmael.  King Lamoni caused that synagogues should be built in his land and he taught his people that they should assemble together often.  He taught them many righteous things.  He declared that they were a free people.  Free from the oppressions of his father, the King and from himself.  He also taught them that they could have freedom to worship the Lord their God according to their own desires, in whatever way they chose.  Ammon taught King Lamoni's people as well.  He taught them ALL things pertaining to righteousness.  He did preach to them every day with diligence, and the beautiful part was that they listened.  They were "zealous for keeping the commandments of God." Alma 21:23

While Ammon continued teaching King Lamoni's people, let's return to AARON.  Aaron was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, to a very important house.  To the house of the father of King Lamoni.  The BIG head honcho of all the land.  Remember this had been the King who had originally tried to kill Ammon! 

Don't you find it interesting that the spirit is leading Aaron right to him.  Aaron went into the King's palace and explained who he and his brethren were.  Aaron stated they they would be the King's servants.  The King told them that they didn't need to be his servants, but he did have one insistent request...  Oh, no what would that request be??

Would Aaron be thrown back in prison?  Would the King try to kill Aaron as he had previously tried to kill his brother?

PRINCIPLE POWER:

What principles did you discover in this section of the Book of Mormon? Here's a few of my personal thoughts:

1.  When life is difficult, do not give up.  Have faith.  Heavenly Father will bless our lives.  Sometimes we have to learn patience, long suffering and courage as part of the plan for our life. 

2.  We need to remember to ask for help from Heavenly Father!  When in doubt, PRAY! 

3. Don't be afraid to approach someone about the Gospel. Aaron approached the powerful King because the Spirit directed him to. When the Spirit directs me, do I hesitate, ignore or listen and act?

4.  Do not give up on dreams.  The sons of Mosiah had a big dream.  They could have lost their confidence and courage in the face of adversity, but they did not.  They were buoyed up by the strength of the Lord and GREAT and incredible things happened in the end.

Lamoni's Courage & Aaron's Patience

Our last glimpse of the story revealed King Lamoni's father, demanding that Lamoni kill his beloved friend Ammon.  What would Lamoni do?  Would he have the courage to stand up to his father?  Or would he buckle to the pressure and kill Ammon as his father demanded?
        
I love Lamoni's surprising response back to his Dad. "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 hold prophets of the true God. Alma 20:15

That took some major guts to say those words! He was bearing his testimony to THE King of the Lamanites! The old King didn't say, "Ok great do whatever you want". He was of course very angry with his son. I'm sure he didn't want to be disrespected in this manner, having his son defy him, especially in front of a Nephite! In fact, he was so angry that "he drew his sword that he might smite him to the earth"Alma 20:16

Image from: www.lds.org

Ammon stood forward and said "Behold, thou shalt not slay thy son; nevertheless, if 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. 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 20:17-18

Lamoni's Dad admitted that if he killed his own son, he would be shedding innocent blood. He turned to Ammon and told him that it was he who had tried to destroy his son! Lamoni's Dad then tried to kill Ammon. "Ammon withstood the blows, and smote his [the King's] arm that he could not use it." Alma 20:20 (Remember once again, that awesome promise to Ammon's father, Mosiah, that his sons would be spared in the land of Lamanites! The promise continues!)



Image from: Book of Mormon Seminary Student Guide

When the King realized that Ammon could overpower him, he started pleading for his life. What Ammon did next was brilliant.   He raised up his sword and said to the old King that he would smite him unless he promised that his brothers would be let out of prison. The king was so relieved with this request that he said "If thou wilt spare me, I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom"! Alma 20:23

Ammon had him right where he wanted! Ammon requested the following:
1. That the king would allow Ammon's brethren out of prison.
2. That Lamoni would be able to keep his kingdom.
3. That the King would not be angry with his son.
4. That the King would allow his son to do whatever he wanted.

If the King would agree to these terms, Ammon would spare his life, and if not, he'd be toast!

The old King rejoiced because his life was spared and he realized that Ammon didn't want to destroy him at all. He also saw the brotherly love that Ammon had for Lamoni. The King agreed to all of Ammon's conditions. The king was so overcome that he even requested that once the brethren were released from prison that Ammon and they might come to see him. He desired to learn more about what Ammon had been teaching!  He wanted to hear more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!  What a missionary moment for Ammon.  Can you imagine the joy he must have felt!?

After all that scary drama, Lamoni and Ammon were back on the road again heading toward Middoni to gain freedom for Aaron and his companions. Lamoni found favor with his friend, King Antiomno of Middoni and just like that, Aaron and his friends were released from prison.

Can you imagine the joyous reunion Ammon and Aaron enjoyed.  However, when Ammon laid eyes on his brother and their friends he was 'exceedingly sorrowful'. 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."   

Major Principle Alert: These guys had been thrown in prison, bound, been deprived of food and drink and who knows what else...AND then after ALL that, they were still patient in their sufferings? 

As we each contemplate our own lives are we patient in our sufferings? I most definitely am not!  Are we patient in situations that do not seem fair in our lives? Are we patient in situations that are out of our control? Patience is something that is a difficult virtue to master, but one that I believe requires our constant attention.

"And as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiff-necked 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..." Alma 20:30

I have often thought about these two sons of Mosiah, Ammon and Aaron. Why did Ammon end up in the land of Ishmael with King Lamoni who basically at the first meeting offered him his daughter to marry? And why did Aaron, his brother, end up naked and bound in prison in Middoni?  It doesn't seem fair does it? As we research a little more of Alma 20:30, the words stand out to me...It was their LOT to have fallen into the hands of.....

It goes back to the age old questions, why do bad things happen to good people? Why did Ammon seem to get a much easier path than Aaron, when both are righteous boys trying to do what is right? I think that we each have certain trials, problems, obstacles and temptations to discover and overcome in each of our own lives. Some may seem to have an easier 'lot' while others don't.  We really truly never know another's 'lot' in life though, do we?   All we can do is focus on our own.  As I look over my own life, I see that my greatest trials have in fact, become the things that have made me grow, develop and strengthen the very most.

Ammon and Aaron, both righteous people who each had a different LOT or path in life to fulfill.  Each becoming stronger because of their own trials, problems, obstacles and temptations.

At this point, was the Lamanite mission over for Ammon and his brethren?  Could they finally now return to their home, having accomplished everything they set out to do?  Would Lamoni's Father end up accepting  the gospel?  What would happen to all the new Lamanite converts to the gospel?  SO many questions....and thankfully so many answers are yet to come!

 

PRINCIPLE POWER:

What principles did you discover in this section of the Book of Mormon?  Here's a few of my personal thoughts:

1.  Am I willing to stand up for righteousness, even when I feel pressure to do otherwise, like Lamoni did when he stood up to his father?  Do I 'go with the crowd' and just keep quiet?  Do I continue to watch the TV show or listen to the song on the radio or look at something on the Internet, when I know the content is not appropriate for me?

2.  Do I have courage like Ammon did when he stood up to the old King?  Do I have righteous courage to stand in holy places to stand up for what I believe and share my beliefs with others and not be afraid?

3. Do I unwisely compare my problems with other people's problems? Or do I consider that my personal problems can be viewed as a refining fire and a learning experience for me rather than a stumbling block?

4.  Do I complain at the slightest inconveniences in my own life?  Do I have patience and draw nearer to my Heavenly Father and Savior during the most difficult times or do I pull away from them because I am so angry with my own set of personal trials, tribulations, temptations or circumstances?  

5.  I can be patient in ALL my sufferings!

 

The Lamanite Kings, Father & Son

Our Scripture journey has led us to Ammon having had major success in converting King Lamoni's people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   A church had been established there.

With all the drama behind them, King Lamoni asked Ammon to go with him to the land of Nephi, to meet his father, who was King over all of Lamanite land. 

The Lord's voice came to Ammon and said "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." Alma 19:2

When these things were revealed to Ammon he said to Lamoni, "Behold, my brother and brethren are in prison at Middoni, and I go that I may deliver them." Alma 19:3  

I LOVE what King Lamoni said next to Ammon,  "I know, in the strength of the Lord thou canst do all things." Alma 20:4   Lamoni recognized that with the Lord's strength and help Ammon could do anything, but he wanted to help his friend as well.  The King of Middoni, Antiomno was a friend to Lamoni.  Lamoni felt that he could flatter Antiomno and that surely he would let Ammon's people out of prison.  Can't you just feel that King Lamoni's kindness and testimony were growing by leaps and bounds!

Lamoni's next question to Ammon is fantastic.  He just realized something important!  "Who told thee that thy brethren were in prison?  Alma 19:4  

Image from: www.lds.org

Of course, Ammon told him that no one had told him except God.  When Lamoni heard this he really stepped up their travel plans.   Isn't it interesting how quickly things changed!?  King Lamoni was the one who would have killed Nephites previously without even giving it a second thought!  Now he was going to rescue them!


King Lamoni's Father
Image from: Book of Mormon Seminary Student Study Guide

As Ammon and Lamoni were traveling to Middoni, they met Lamoni's Father along the way.  Lamoni's Dad was the head honcho of all the Lamanites in the area.  The old King had two questions for his son: 

First, "Why didn't you come to the feast that I prepared for all my sons and for my people?" 
Second, "Where are you going with this Nephite, who is the child of a liar?"  

Lamoni explained to his Dad where he was going and why he had not been able to attend the feast.  There had been a LOT going on in Lamoni's Kingdom lately....

 

 Lamoni's father was VERY angry.   He said the following:"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" Alma 20:13

(Side note: The hatred that the Lamanites had for the Nephites dated back to the days of Lehi, Nephi, Laman & Lemuel in the early pages of the Book of Mormon.   Laman & Lemuel felt that Nephi had robbed them of the brass plates.   In addition, they did not like that Nephi had assumed a 'leadership' role over them.  They were the 'older' brothers and felt that they should have been the leaders, not their kid brother. This anger and feud lasted for hundreds of years and was passed down from generation to generation.)

Lamoni's father had intense hatred toward the Nephite people because of the traditions of his fathers.  He COMMANDED his son to kill Ammon with the sword.  He also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni but should return to his own kingdom. 


Just think how devastating this must have been to Lamoni.  He had grown to love Ammon and yet he was still under the governing rule of his father who had now told him he had to kill his new friend. 

What would Lamoni say to his Father? 

Would he buckle under the pressure? 
 
Would he actually kill Ammon?

Would he be able to speak up for what he knew was right?

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PRINCIPLE POWER



What principles can you pull from these verses?  The beauty of the Scriptures is that as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we each will be drawn to different verses or passages that we can liken to our own individual lives.  My principles may be different than the ones you come up with....and that's just how it should be!

 

1.  Do I listen to the spirit as carefully as Ammon did when the Spirit whispered to him not to go to the Land of Nephi?  Or do I dismiss those whisperings as coincidence?  Am I so 'busy' that sometimes I don't even hear the Spirit's whisperings at all?

 

2.  What can I do to magnify and clarify the voice of the Spirit in my life? 

 

3.  When I hear the promptings of the Spirit, do I act upon them or disregard?

 

3.   Lamoni was quick to say he would go to help Ammon get his brethren out of prison.  Am I as quick when asked to serve others in any capacity, whether large or small?  Am I willing to help my fellow man even when I'm not asked to?

 

4.   The hatred, prejudice and anger that the Lamanites had for the Nephites lasted for hundreds of years.  Do I hold feelings of hatred, prejudice or anger toward my fellow man?  If I do feel prejudice, do I desire to make a change and rid myself of it, or do I perpetuate it and carry on the prejudice to the next generation?  Do I stand up for the right if others speak prejudice?

 

5.  My favorite principle in this section:  With the strength of the Lord, I can do ALL things!