Lamoni and His Servants Marvel

King Lamoni told his servants to tell him everything they had seen Ammon do. After the king learned how faithful Ammon had been in saving his flocks, and how great his power was in fighting, he was amazed. He said, “Surely this is more than a man. This must be the Great Spirit, sending His great punishments upon this people because of their murders!”

The servants answered, “We do not know if he is a man or the Great Spirit. But we do know that he cannot be killed by your enemies, nor can they scatter your flocks when he is with us because of his skill and great strength. Because of this, we know he is your friend. He has more power than any man, for he cannot be killed.”

Upon hearing this, the king said, “Now I know this is the Great Spirit. He came here to save your lives, so that I would not kill you, as I did your brethren. This must be the Great Spirit, of whom our forefathers have spoken.”

Lamoni’s tradition, which he had received from his father, was to believe in a Great Spirit. Even though he and his people believed in a Great Spirit, they thought that whatever they did was right. Even so, Lamoni still began to be afraid, fearing that he had done wrong by killing his servants. Before this time, Lamoni had killed many of his servants for allowing other Lamanites to scatter his flocks at the watering place. These Lamanites often came to the waters of Sebus to scatter the people’s flocks so they could steal their sheep.

Now Lamoni asked his servants, “Where is this man who has such great power?” The servants replied, “He is feeding your horses.” Now before the servants had gone to water the sheep, the king had commanded them to prepare his horses and chariots to travel to the land of Nephi. Lamoni’s father, the king over all the land, was going to hold a great feast in the land of Nephi.

When King Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and chariots, he was even more astonished by Ammon’s faithfulness, and said, “I have never had a servant as faithful as this man, for he remembers to carry out all my commands. Now I know for sure that this is the Great Spirit. I want him to come to me, but I dare not ask him.”

When Ammon was finished with the horses and chariots, he went to the king. Ammon noticed that the king looked different. He was no longer bold, but in deep thought. Seeing this, Ammon thought he should leave the king alone, and he turned to walk away. But one of the king’s servants said to him, “Rabbonah (powerful king), the king wants you to stay.” Ammon turned back to the king, and said, “What would you have me do for you, oh king?” The king did not answer, but sat silent for an hour, not knowing what to say to Ammon.

After this time, Ammon asked him again, “What would you have me to do?” And the king still did not answer. Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, knew Lamoni’s thoughts, and asked him, “Do you wonder because you have heard about what I have done? Why do you wonder so much? I am only a man, and am your servant. I will do whatever you want, if it is right.” The king still marveled because Ammon knew his thoughts, but managed to finally ask, “Who are you? Are you the Great Spirit, who knows all things?” Ammon answered, “No.” The king asked, “How do you know my thoughts? You may tell me boldly. Also tell me by what power you killed and cut off the arms of those who scattered my flocks. If you will tell me, I will give you anything you want. I would guard you with my armies if you needed them, but I know you are more powerful than all of them.”

Now Ammon was wise (cunning—with guile), yet harmless. So he said to Lamoni, “I will tell you by what power I did these things if you will believe all my words.” And the king answered, “I will believe all your words.” Then Ammon boldly asked the king, “Do you believe in God?” The king answered, “I do not know what you mean.” Ammon asked, “Do you believe in the Great Spirit?” “Yes,” answered the king. Ammon said, “The Great Spirit is God. Do you believe that God created the earth and the heavens?” “Yes, I believe that He created the earth, and all things in it, but I do not know about the heavens,” replied Lamoni. Ammon said, “The heavens is a place where God lives with all His holy angels.”

King Lamoni asked, “Is it above the earth?” “Yes,” replied Ammon. “He looks down upon all His children, and He knows all the thoughts and intentions of their hearts, for by His hand they were all created from the beginning.”

Then King Lamoni said, “I believe everything you have told me. Did God send you?” Ammon explained, “I am a man. In the beginning, man was created in the image of God. I was called by His Holy Spirit to teach these things to this people, that they may learn all that is just and true. A part of God’s Holy Spirit is in me, which gives me knowledge and power. This is done according to my faith in God and my desire to serve Him.”

Then Ammon began to teach Lamoni, starting from the creation of the world and of Adam. He taught about the fall of man, and about all the records and holy scriptures of the people which had been spoken by the prophets even down to the time that their forefather, Lehi, left Jerusalem. Ammon also told the king and his servants about the journeying of their forefathers in the wilderness—how they suffered with hunger and thirst. He told them about the rebellion of Laman, Lemuel and Ishmael’s sons. He explained all the records and scriptures, from the time Lehi had left Jerusalem down to their present time.

This is not all. Ammon explained the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world. He also told them of the coming of Christ, and of all the works of the Lord. King Lamoni truly believed everything Ammon had said. And he cried out, “Oh Lord, have mercy on me and my people, according to Thy abundant mercy which Thou has had upon the Nephites.”

After saying this, he fell down as if he were dead. Then the king’s servants carried him to his wife and laid him on a bed. He lay as if he were dead for two days and nights. And his wife, sons, and daughters mourned over him in the customary way, greatly lamenting his loss.