Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Great Lamanite Conversion

In the 18th and 19th chapters of the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon, we read one of the most remarkable stories of conversion in all scripture ~ that of a Lamanite king and his people.

When Ammon returned with the king's flocks, he went to work in the stabling area as usual.  It was the other servants who ran to the king with the remarkable story.  They concluded the story by saying that Ammon must be a god since he could not be killed by their enemies and the marauders could not scatter the flocks when Ammon was present.  The king sent for Ammon.  I'd like to share this part of the story directly from the Book:

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.
 
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.  And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.
 
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?  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.
 
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?
 
Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.
 
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— 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.
 
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.
 
And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words . . .
 
And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?
 
And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.
 
And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?
 
And he said, Yea.
 
And Ammon said: This is God . . . (Alma 18: 13-28)
 
Ammon taught the king about God and of His plan for His children.  And Lamoni believed.  Ultimately, Lamoni's wife, the queen, also believed as did his people and all were converted unto the Lord. 
 
This great miracle was wrought because a man of God chose to become a servant instead of a Prince.
 
As Jesus Christ Himself would later say: And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (Matthew 20: 27)

Text copyright December 2013, Gebara Education
 
Pictures:
Ammon and Lamoni from www.shopsilverdisc.com
Two central pictures from www.lds.org
Lamoni and his queen from www.bookofmormonbattles.com

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