Alma 18

After King Lamoni’s servants testified about what they’d seen, the king learned of Ammon’s faithfulness in protecting his flocks, and his prowess and power in defending himself against those who sought to kill him. He was astonished. “Surely this is more than a man,” he said. “Is this the Great Spirit who avenges the Lamanites because of their murders?”

“We don’t know whether he is the Great Spirit or a man,” they answered. “What we do know is that your enemies cannot kill him. Neither can they scatter your flocks when he is with, us because he is strong and highly skilled. Therefore, we know that he is a friend to the king. And because he cannot be killed, his powers seem greater than a man’s.”

After listening to his servants, the king said, “Now I know that he is the Great Spirit whom our fathers have spoken of. He has come down at this time to preserve your lives, because if you had allowed my flocks to be scattered again, I would have had you killed as I did others before you.”

The Lamanite king suddenly questioned his wisdom in killing those other servants who’d allowed his flocks to be scattered. He became fearful that he might have to answer to this powerful new man for this past killing. “Where is this man with so much power?” he asked.

He was told that Ammon was dutifully feeding the king’s horses, and was even further astonished. Before the incident with the sheep, he had ordered his servants to prepare his horses and chariots for a visit to his father in the land of Nephi. King Lamoni’s father, who was king over all the land, was hosting a great feast.

“No one else among you is as faithful to my commands as this man, who remembers and executes them,” the king said. “Surely this is the Great Spirit. I’d like to talk with him, but I don’t dare to.”

When Ammon had prepared the horses and chariots, he went in to see the king. Judging by the look on the king’s face, he thought perhaps he should leave, but the servants said to him, “Great One, the king would like you to stay.”

Ammon turned to the king and asked, “What can I do for you, my king?”

The king didn’t know what to say, and so an hour went by without him responding. Again, Ammon asked what he could do, and again the king was unable to answer. But Ammon was filled with the Spirit of God and he was able to read the king’s thoughts. “Are you speechless because you’ve heard how I defended your flocks and servants with my sling and sword?” he asked. “Do you marvel that I was able to kill seven of your enemies and cut the arms off of many others who sought to injure you? What have I done that was so great? I’m a man, your servant. Whatever you want that is right, I will do.”

The king heard Ammon’s words and was astounded that he could read his thoughts. “Who are you?” he asked. “Are you the Great Spirit who knows all things?”

“I am not,” Ammon replied.

“How do you know my thoughts?” the king asked. “Tell me about this, and tell me how you killed and maimed the Lamanites who scattered my flocks. If you tell me, I will guard you with my armies even though I know you are more powerful than all of them. Whatever you want of me, I will grant to you.”

“Will you listen to my words,” Ammon asked, “if I tell you about the power by which I do these things? This is all I want from you.”

“Yes,” answered the king, “I will believe whatever you say.”

“Do you believe there is a God?” asked Ammon.

“I don’t know what you mean,” replied the king.

“Do you believe there is a Great Spirit?” Ammon asked.

“Yes,” the king said.

“That is God,” Ammon responded. “Do you believe that this Great Spirit, or God, created everything in heaven and earth?”

“I believe he created all things on earth,” replied the king, “but I don’t know what heaven is.”

“Heaven is a place where God lives with all his holy angels,” Ammon explained.

“Is it above the earth?” the king asked.

“Yes,” answered Ammon. “God looks down on man, and knows the intents and thoughts of everyone because he created them in the first place.”

“I believe what you say,” the king said. “Are you sent by God?”

“I am a man, and man was originally created in the image of God,” Ammon said. “I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things to your people so that they many learn what is honest and true. Some of God’s spirit resides in me, giving me knowledge and power according to my faith in him.”

Ammon talked about the creation of the world, Adam, and the fall of man, to the king and his assembled servants. He recited the holy scriptures and the words of the prophets from the past through the time when their common ancestor, Lehi, had left Jerusalem. He told the story of Lehi1 and his family’s journey through the wilderness and the hardships they had endured. He spoke of the rebellion of Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael. Ammon recited the records and prophecies of his people from the time of Lehi’s departure through the present time. He told them about the plan of redemption that had been prepared for them since the founding of the world. He told of the coming of Jesus Christ. When he was finished speaking, the king believed it all.

“Oh, God,” the king cried out. “Have mercy on me and my people, as you have shown to the people of Nephi.”

Having said this, the king fell down as if he were dead. His servants carried him to his wife and laid him on his bed. For two days and two nights his wife, sons, and daughters were distraught, and mourned for him in the tradition of the Lamanites. [90 BC]