Abish & The Queen

Our last encounter with Lamoni, the Lamanite King was that he had fallen to the earth, as if he were dead.  His family was mourning over his body, greatly lamenting his loss.  They were about to take his body to the sepulchre....

The Queen in a last ditch effort to do something before her husband was entombed, called upon Ammon to meet with her.  Ammon did as he was commanded.  When he got the word that he had an audience with the Queen, I wonder what he was thinking?  A lot of drama had happened since Ammon showed up in town!

The Queen said to Ammon, "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; 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." Alma 19:4-5

All of this was EXACTLY what Ammon had hoped for.   He was overjoyed!

Ammon knew that a"...dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his [King Lamoni's] 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..... that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God." Alma 19:6

Ammon went to the King and immediately knew that he was not dead.  He promised the Queen that the next day Lamoni would rise again....a very bold promise!

Ammon boldly questioned the Queen and asked her if she believed his words.  Could she believe the words of a Nephite?  The Queen simply said, "....I believe that it shall be according as thou has said." Alma 19:9

Ammon was overcome with the faith of the Queen when he said in tribute to her, "Blessed are 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".  Alma 19:10

The Queen stayed by the bedside of her husband until morning.  Just as Ammon had promised, awaken he did. 

Image by James H. Fullmer

The King awoke, stood and stretched his hand out to his wife.  What a reunion that must have been!  Lamoni began to proclaim his testimony to her.  He had seen His Savior, our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

"Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou.  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." Alma 19:13



Image: www.lds.org

Just as these words came out of his mouth, he was so overcome with joy and the spirit that again he sunk down to the earth.  And this time, the Queen fell to the earth overpowered as well!

Ammon saw the spirit of the Lord working in the lives of these Lamanites.  This group of people who had been the cause of so much sadness and mourning among the Nephites because of their sin, rage and wicked traditions. 

Ammon fell upon his knees and began to pour his heart and soul out to the Lord in prayer.  He prayed in gratitude and thanksgiving to Heavenly Father for what had just happened.  Ammon was so overpowered with joy and happiness that he too sunk to the earth!

Can you picture it?  King Lamoni, the Queen and Ammon all so overcome with the spirit they are all flat on the ground....looking pretty dead.

Servants were all around.  What must they have been thinking!  They began to cry to God, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them too.  These servants called on the Lord with such fervor and with all their might, that even they started to fall to the earth as well. 

People are dropping like flies, but in a good way!

Now enters one of my favorite un-sung heroes of the Book of Mormon.  You might even miss her part of the story, if you don't read carefully.
 

Image by James H. Fullmer

This woman, Abish, was a servant to the Queen.  While the King, his servants, the Queen and Ammon were all on the ground, there was Abish, a witness to it all. 

As she saw the events unfold,  she was not afraid.  She knew that it was the power of God. 

How did she know this?  Why wasn't she fearful?

Alma 19:16-17 gives us the answer. "She having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father--Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known..."

Abish, was a convert to the Church, but had never been able to share her beliefs because of the wickedness of the Lamanite traditions.  She had only been able to keep her testimony in her heart.  

Abish now had an important decision to make....
Would she stay quiet or would she take this opportunity to make her beliefs known?