A Dictionary of the Book of Mormon/Ammon (II)
AMMON. The most conspicuous of the sons of king Mosiah II, and the ruling spirit in the great mission undertaken by them to convert the Lamanites.
Ammon was born in the land of Zarahemla, probably about 120 B. C. Like his brothers, he was, in early life, headstrong and disobedient, and a persecutor of the Saints. He was brought to an understanding of his perilous position by the intervention of an angel of the Lord, who appeared to a company of young men who were going about molesting the members of the Church of Christ, among whom were Alma, the younger, and Mosiah's four sons. This heavenly manifestation had the effect of entirely changing the course of life of these young men. From this time they bent all the energies of their youth, and the experience of their riper years, to the reparation of the wrongs that they had done, and to the spread of the principles of the Gospel. First, they ministered among the Nephites in the land of Zarahemla, and then determined on the more hazardous task of carrying those same truths to the benighted Lamanites in the land of Nephi. At first there was much opposition to this venture, but Mosiah, their father, having received by revelation assurances of Divine protection, the young men started on their perilous journey (B. C. 91) into the southern wilderness.
They carried with them their bows and arrows and other weapons, not to wage war, but to kill game for their food in the wilderness Their journey was a tedious one; they lost their way and almost lost heart, and indeed were on the point of returning when they received Divine assurance of their ultimate success. Nerved by this assurance, and with much fasting and prayer, they continued their wanderings, and before long reached the borders of the Lamanites. Commending themselves to God they there separated, each one trusting to the Lord to guide him to the place where he could best accomplish the purposes of Heaven.
Ammon entered the Lamanite territory at a land called Ishmael. Here Lamoni was the chief ruler, under his father, who was king of all the Lamanites. Ammon was no sooner discovered than he was taken, bound with cords and conducted into the presence of Lamoni. It was the custom of the Lamanites to so use every Nephite they captured, and it rested with the whim of the king whether the captive be slain, imprisoned or sent out of the country. The king's will and pleasure appear to have been the only law on such matters.
Through God's grace, Ammon found favor in the eyes of Lamoni, and, learning that it was his desire to reside among the Lamanites, the king offered him one of his daughters to wife. Ammon courteously declined this intended honor and begged to be accepted as one of the king's servants, which arrangement pleased Lamoni, and Ammon was placed in that part of the royal household that had charge of the monarch's flocks and herds. Lamoni was rich in livestock, probably the result of the taxation of the people, but even the king's property was not secure from theft. Marauding bands would watch for his numerous cattle as they approached their watering places. Then with yell and prolonged shout they would stampede the herds and drive away all they could, beyond the reach of the king's servants. These would gather up what few animals, if any, they found, and return to the king in the full expectancy of being made to pay for the loss by the forfeit of their lives. They were seldom disappointed, for Lamoni or some of his predecessors had established a somewhat unique criminal code with regard to stealing the royal cattle. They had adopted the idea that it was easier and cheaper to make the herdsmen responsible for the losses and punish them therefor, than to hunt out and capture the thieves. It had at least one virtue, it prevented collusion between the robbers and the servants; but it produced much dissatisfaction among Lamoni's subjects.
On the third day of Amnion's service, one of these raids was made on the king's cattle as they were being taken to the waters of Sebus, the common watering place. The cattle fled in all directions, and the dispirited servants, with the fear of death before their eyes, sat down and wept instead of attempting to stay them. Ammon perceived that this was his opportunity. He first reasoned with the servants, then encouraged them, and having sufficiently aroused their feelings, he led them in the attempt to head off the flying herds. With much exertion they succeeded. The cattle were all gathered, but the robbers still waited at the watering place to renew the attack when they drew near enough. Ammon perceiving this, placed the servants at various points on the outside of the flocks and he himself went forward to contend with the robbers. Though they were many, he knew he was more powerful than them all, for God was with him. The idea of one man withstanding so many was supremely ridiculous to the robbers. But as one after another fell before his unerring aim, they were astonished, and dreaded him as something more than human. Enraged at the loss of six of their number, they rushed upon him in a body, determined to crush him with their clubs, Ammon, undaunted, drew his sword and awaited the onslaught. Their leader fell dead at his feet, and as one after another raised their clubs, Ammon struck off their arms until none dared to approach him, but instead retreated afar off. It was a strange procession that returned to the palace. The fears of the herdsmen had been turned to joy, and they marched in triumph into the presence of the king, with the arms of the robbers as testimonials of the truth of the story of Ammon's prowess. Doubtless they did not diminish the telling points in the narrative; the numbers of the band, the courage and strength of tht Nephite, were each dilated upon with the vividness of superstitious imagination. When the king had heard their marvelous story his heart was troubled, and he came to the conclusion that Ammon must be the Great Spirit, of whose existence he had an undefined idea. He trembled at the thought that perhaps this Spirit had come to punish him because of the number of his servants whom he had slain for permitting his cattle to be stolen.
Notwithstanding his misgivings, Lamoni desired to see Ammon, who, acting as though nothing particular had happened, was preparing the king's horses and chariots, as the servants had been directed. When he entered the royal presence, the king was too much filled with emotion to speak. More than once Ammon called the king's attention to the fact that he stood before him, as he had been requested, and wished to know what were his commands. But he elicited no response. At last, perceiving the monarch's thoughts, he began to question Lamoni regarding sacred things, and afterwards to expound to him the principles of life and salvation. Lamoni listened and believed. He was conscience-stricken, and with all the strength of his new-born faith, he humbly begged that the Lord would show that same mercy to him and to his people that he had shown to the Nephites. Overcome with the intensity of his feelings he sank to the earth as in a trance. In this state he was carried to his wife, who, with her children, anxiously watched over him for two days and two nights, awaiting his return to consciousness. There was great diversity of opinion among his retainers as to what troubled the king. Some said the power of the Great Spirit was upon him, others that an evil power possessed him, yet others asserted that he was dead, and with remarkable acuteness of smell affirmed, He stinketh. At the end of this time they had resolved to lay him away in the sepulchre, when the queen sent for Ammon and pleaded with him in her husband's behalf. Ammon gave her the joyful assurance: He is not dead, but sleepeth in God, and to-morrow he shall rise again. Then he asked, Believest thou this? She answered, I have no witness, save thy word and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe it shall be according as thou hast said. Then Ammon blessed her, and told her that there had not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.
So the queen lovingly continued her watch by the bedside of her husband until the appointed hour. Lamoni then arose, as Ammon had foretold. His soul was filled with heavenly joy. His first words were of praise to God, his next were blessings on his faithful wife, whose faith he felt or knew. He testified to the coming of the Redeemer, of whose greatness, glory, power and mercy he had learned while in the spirit. His body was too weak for the realities of eternity that filled his heart. Again he sank overpowered to the earth, and the same spirit overcame his wife also. Ammon's rejoicing heart swelled within him as he heard and witnessed these things; he fell upon his knees and poured out his soul in praise and thanksgiving, until he also could not contain the brightness of the glory, the completeness of the joy that overwhelmed him. Unconscious of all earthly things he sank beside the royal pair. The same spirit of unmeasured joy then fell upon all present, with the same results. There was but one exception, a Lamanitish woman, named Abish, who had been converted to the Lord many years before, but kept the secret in her own bosom. She comprehended the why and wherefore of this strange scene. She saw the workings of the Almighty through which the untutored minds of the Lamanites could be brought to an understanding of the plan of salvation. From house to house she went, calling the people to witness what had occurred in the palace. They gathered at her call, but as might naturally be expected, their impressions were very conflicting. Some said one thing, some another; some argued for good, some for evil; to some, Ammon was a god, to others, a demon. One man, whose brother was slain at the waters of Sebus, drew his sword and attempted to slay Ammon, but was struck dead by an unseen power before he could carry his rash intent into action. So fierce was the contention, so angry grew the controversy, that Abish, fearing greater trouble, by an inspiration took hold of the hand of the queen, who thereupon arose to her feet. The queen's first thought was of her husband. She took his hand and raised him up, and ere long all who had been reposing in the spirit stood upon their feet. The king, the queen, the servants, all rejoiced with joy unspeakable. They all bore testimony to God's abundant love and goodness, and some declared that holy angels had visited them. Still the contention was not entirely appeased until Lamoni stood forth and explained to them the Divine mysteries of which they were so ignorant. Many believed, others did not, but Ammon had the indescribable happiness of shortly after establishing a church to the Lord in the midst of the people of the land of Ishmael. Ammon's humility, faith and patience were bringing forth their fruit; while his soul gathered faith and strength in the fulfilment of the promises of the great Jehovah in answer to the pleadings of his faithful, loving father. When the church was satisfactorily established in the land of Ishmael, Lamoni arranged to pay a visit to his father, the great king in the land of Nephi, to whom he was desirous of introducing Ammon. However, the voice of the Lord warned his servant not to go, but instead thereof to proceed to the land of Middoni, where his brother Aaron and other missionaries were suffering in prison. When Lamoni heard of Ammon's intention, and the cause thereof, he decided to accompany him. He felt that he could be of service in delivering the prisoners, as Antiomno, the king of Middoni, was one of his special friends, and likely to grant any favor he might ask. They accordingly started on their errand of mercy, but on their way were surprised to meet Lamoni's father, who grew exceedingly angry when he found Ammon in the company of his son. All the hatred born and nurtured of false tradition boiled up in his breast. He listened impatiently to Lamoni's story of Ammon's visit and its fruits, and when it was finished he broke out in a torrent of abuse towards the Nephite “son of a liar,” as he ungraciously styled him, and ordered Lamoni to slay him. Lamoni at once refused to become the murderer of his most loved friend, whereupon the old monarch, in the blind fury of his anger, turned upon his own son, and would have killed him if Ammon had not interposed. Little used to controversy, much less to direct opposition, the king was not softened by Ammon's interference. Savagely he turned upon him, but youth, strength, dexterity, and above all the protecting care of the Lord, were with Ammon, and he struck the king's sword arm so heavy a blow that it fell useless at his side. Realizing he was now in the power of the man he had so foully abused, he made abundant promises, even to half his kingdom, if his life were spared. This boon Ammon immediately granted, asking only favors for Lamoni and his own imprisoned brethren. The king, unused to such generosity and manly love, granted all his requests, and when he proceeded on his journey his mind was filled with reflections regarding Ammon's courage and great love for his son. He was also troubled in his heart concerning certain expressions of Ammon on doctrinal points, which opened up ideas that were entirely new to his mind.
Lamoni and Ammon continued their journey to Middoni, where, by God's grace, they found favor in the eyes of king Antiomno, and by his command the missionaries were released from the horrors of their prison house.
After his release Aaron, with others, visited the old king. Their visit ended in his conversion, and the issuance of a royal proclamation granting full religious liberty to all dwelling within the borders of his dominions. This was followed by a rebellion of the unconverted Lamanites, egged on by Nephite apostates, resulting in two series of massacres of the Christian Lamanites, who unresistingly fell victims to the rage and hate of their unrepentant fellow countrymen. During this period the old king died and he was succeeded by his son Anti-Nephi-Lehi as ruler of the Christian portion of the Lamanites.
Ammon and his brethren were not willing to have the disciples continually harassed and eventually exterminated; they judged that the Lord, having so thoroughly tried the faith of this devoted people, would provide some way of escape. Ammon counseled with the king, and it was thought better to forsake their all so far as worldly possessions were concerned, than to remain and sacrifice their lives. But first they would inquire of the Lord. Ammon did so and the Lord said, Get this people out of this land, that they perish not, for Satan has great hold of the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are the people of this generation, for I will preserve them.
The word of the Lord thus received was joyfully obeyed. The Ammonites gathered up their flocks and herds and departed into the wilderness that lay between the lands of Nephi and Zarahemla. There they rested while Ammon and his brethren went forward and treated with the Nephites in behalf of the persecuted hosts they had left behind. The people, by united voice, gladly welcomed their co-religionists and set apart the land of Jershon as their inheritance. Thither the Ammonites, with happy feet repaired (B. C. 77), and there Ammon established his home and became their local presiding High Priest.
In later years we have occasional references to Ammon. In B. C. 75, Korihor, the Anti-Christ, endeavored to intrude his soul-destroying doctrines upon the people of Ammon. But they quickly took him, bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who expelled him beyond the borders of Jershon. Later in that same year he accompanied Alma in his memorable mission to the Zoramites in the land of Antionum, returning to his people in Jershon when that mission was ended. He afterwards accompanied Alma to the land of Zarahemla, after which we lose sight of him, as nothing is said of his further labors or death.
Ammon was one of the greatest, most lovable characters of Nephite history. Full of zeal, faith, charity, disinterestedness and love, yet withal a man of good judgment and great wisdom; he left a broad, bright mark in the history of his people, that lasted until the Messiah came and established more completely the perfect law of the Gospel.