THE MISSION OF THE SONS OF MOSIAH TO THE LAMANITES--THEIR JOURNEY
IN THE WILDERNESS--AMMON BROUGHT BEFORE KING LAMONI--THE CONFLICT AT
THE WATERS OF SEBUS--THE MIRACULOUS CONVERSION OF LAMONI AND HIS
FAMILY--ABISH THE WAITING WOMAN.
(ALMA CHAP. 17 TO 19.)
Before we take up the history of the Nephites, during the reigns of
their judges, we will follow the sons of Mosiah and their brethren to
the land of Nephi, on the perilous mission that they had undertaken, to
convert the Lamanites. The names of the four sons of Mosiah were Aaron,
Ammon, Omner and Himni; amongst their companions were Muloki and Ammah.
These all took their journey into the southern wilderness during the
last year of Mosiah's reign, or B. C. 91. 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 here 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 were 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 amongst 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.
A glance at Lamanite society may not here be out of place. It would
appear that in Lamoni's days the will of the sovereign was the law of
the land. The king's power over the lives and property of his subjects
was unlimited. We read of no constitution that prescribed or limited
his authority. The more degraded portions of the race wandered in the
vast wilderness, dwelling in tents, and subsisting on what they killed
in the chase or stole. The more civilized Lamanites resided in cities,
were wealthy in cattle, and followed the occupations general among
semi-civilized races.
Lamoni was rich in flocks and herds, probably the results 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 Ammon'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 stop 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 flock and himself went forward to contend with the
robbers. Though they were many, he knew that 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 testimonies
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 the 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 indistinct 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 to him. More than once Ammon drew to the king's attention
that he stood before him, as he had been requested, and wished to know
what were his commands. But Ammon's inquiries 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 plead
with him in her husband's behalf. Ammon gave her the joyful assurance,
He is not dead, but sleepeth in God, and tomorrow he shall rise again.
Then he added, 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 there had not been such great faith among all the people of the
Nephites.
So the queen lovingly continued her watch by the bed 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 on 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 and with the same results. There was but one exception,
a Lamanitish waiting woman named Abish, who many years before had
been converted to the Lord, 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, who had
his brother 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 there-upon rose
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 fulfillment of the promises of
the great Jehovah in answer to the pleadings of his faithful, loving
father.