Power Corrupts ~ Amulon

Amulon did ingratiate himself to the Lamanites and was soon a recognized leader of the band.  Somehow, they had lost their way back to the Land of Nephi. Amulon didn't know the way any better than the lost Lamanites.  While they were bumbling along looking for Nephi, they chance stumbled upon the Land of Helam.  Alma's people may have been easier to find because they had cleared areas to plant crops.

 

The Nephite men were in their fields when the enemy were sighted.  They ran in fear of their lives to the City of Helam and sought counsel from Alma.  Alma comforted them and reminded them that the Lord would protect them.

 

They all knelt and prayed that God would soften the hearts of the Lamanites toward their wives and children.

 

And the Lord did soften the hearts of the Lamanites.  Alma and the men went out to meet them and surrendered the Land of Helam.  Alma met with the leaders of the Lamanites and negotiated the terms of the surrender in such a way as to protect all of the people in his care.

The Lamanites promised Alma that if he and his band would show them the way to Nephi, they would grant them freedom.  Let's read the Book of Mormon description.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised unto Alma and his brethren, that if they would show them the way which led to the land of Nephi that they would grant unto them their lives and their liberty.  But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of Nephi the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren.

And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi; and a part of them returned to the land of Helam, and also brought with them the wives and the children of the guards who had been left in the land.

And the king of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that he should be a king and a ruler over his people, who were in the land of Helam; nevertheless he should have no power to do anything contrary to the will of the king of the Lamanites. (Mosiah 23: 36 - 39)

Joseph Smith wrote about the corrupting power of power and a little authority in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 121:

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. (verse 39)

That certainly happened to Amulon, first in Noah's court, and now as a ruler of the Lamanites guarding Helam.  How do men get in such a state?  The Prophet Joseph tells us in the 37th verse of that same section that it comes from seeking to:

• cover our sins 
• gratify our pride
• gratify our vain ambition
• exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness

That describes Amulon completely. Unfortunately, we will meet many other men like Amulon as we continue our study of the Book of Mormon.  Why is the Nephite in the picture smiling?  We'll talk about that tomorrow.

 

Do you know anyone like Amulon?

 

Text copyright August 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures from www.lds.org