310 Ammon Defends the Flocks of King Lamoni

Alma 17:1939; Alma 18
Behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword. Alma 17:37

Ammon went to the land of Ishmael to teach the gospel to the Lamanites. When he entered the land, the Lamanites tied him up and took him before King Lamoni. (See Alma 17:1921.) Ammon told the king he wanted to live with Lamoni's people. King Lamoni was pleased and freed Ammon. Ammon told the king he wished to be his servant, so King Lamoni sent him to tend his flocks. (See Alma 17:2225.)

Not long after, some Lamanite robbers scattered King Lamoni's flocks. Lamoni's servants were upset because they knew the king would have them put to death for losing his flocks. (See Alma 17:2628.)

Ammon realized this was an opportunity to be a missionary. He invited the servants to help him find the flocks. (See Alma 17:2931.)

After Ammon and the others had gathered the animals, however, the robbers came again. Ammon told his fellow servants to keep the flocks together while he fought the robbers. The robbers thought they could kill Ammon, but he had the Lord's protection. (See Alma 17:3335.)

Ammon used his sling to throw stones at the robbers, killing six. The men were astonished. They tried to kill him with stones but could not hit him. Then they came at him with clubs. But every time a robber lifted a club, Ammon cut off the man's arm with his sword. The remaining robbers became scared and ran away. (See Alma 17:3638.)

When King Lamoni learned what had happened, he was amazed. He thought Ammon was the Great Spirit. He asked where Ammon was. The servants said that Ammon was feeding the king's horses and preparing the chariots. King Lamoni was even more astonished. (See Alma 18:4, Alma 18:810.)

The king was afraid to ask Ammon to come to him because he thought Ammon was a god. When Ammon finished his work, he went to the king and asked what the king desired of him. But King Lamoni did not know what to say. (See Alma 18:1115.)

With the help of the Holy Ghost, Ammon knew the king's thoughts. Ammon asked King Lamoni if what he had done in defending the flocks was causing the king to marvel. The king wondered how Ammon could know his thoughts and asked if he was the Great Spirit. Ammon said he was not; then the king asked him about the power he used against the robbers. (See Alma 18:1620.)

Ammon taught King Lamoni and his servants about Heavenly Father, the Creation of the earth, the scriptures, and the plan of salvation. The king believed Ammon. He prayed to the Lord for mercy. (See Alma 18:2441.)

Summary

Ammon served a mission to the Lamanites. He offered to be King Lamoni's servant and was sent to help guard the king's flocks. Wicked men scattered the flocks. The other servants were afraid, but Ammon convinced them to gather the animals. When the robbers came again, Ammon fought them, cutting off the arm of each man who lifted a club to attack him. The robbers became frightened and fled. King Lamoni was amazed at Ammon's power. Ammon told the king his power came from God. He taught King Lamoni the gospel, and the king believed.

Artist, Arnold Friberg

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA