18 Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout the land.
What can we learn about leadership from Mormon’s description of Ammon? Here are a few observations:
- This is the first time Mormon makes special mention of Ammon. When he mentioned King Mosiah’s sons previously in Mosiah 27 and 28, he never singled one of them out as the leader. In Mosiah 29, the people requested Aaron, not Ammon, as their king. And so far in this chapter, Mormon has simply referred to them as “the sons of Mosiah.”
- He seems uncomfortable with the title “chief.” Immediately after applying it to Ammon, he softens the description: “or rather, he did administer unto them.” Mormon knew what it was like to lead an army (Mormon 2:1-2), even a hardened army which was difficult to manage (Mormon 3:12). Ammon was not that kind of leader. He was more of a facilitator or coordinator among a group of Spirit-directed missionaries who needed very little guidance.
- The Oxford dictionary indicates that the meaning of the word “administer” depends on whether there is a direct object. With an object (like “administer a school”), it means to manage. Without an object (“administer to his needs”), it means to serve or help.
- Ammon did two things for the other missionaries before they all separated: he blessed them individually, and he taught them the word of God. Jesus said, “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Matthew 20:26). Ammon exemplifies this kind of Christlike leadership.
- “They took their several journeys.” Ammon was not an overbearing leader who wanted all the attention or who wanted to make all the decisions himself. His role was to help each of the missionaries be successful, to help them be instruments in God’s hands in doing His work with the guidance of the Spirit.
Today I will follow Ammon’s example of Christlike leadership. I will serve and bless the people I lead. I will do what I can to help them be successful, including teaching them correct principles and then giving them room to follow the Spirit and act within their own roles and responsibilities.