Foolishness. That’s what many of the Nephites thought when they learned that the four sons of their king wanted to preach the gospel among their enemies (Alma 26:23-25). But Ammon and his brothers were determined, and God revealed to their father that they would be safe (Mosiah 28:7). God promised them that, if they would be patient in their afflictions, He would make them “an instrument in his hands” to bring many people to salvation (Alma 17:11, Alma 26:3, 15).
This week, we will study the ministry of Ammon among the people of King Lamoni, including the remarkable story of Abish, a servant of the queen (Alma 17-20). We will also study the ministry of Ammon’s brother Aaron to Lamoni’s father after he is released from prison (Alma 21-22).
Two of the most important women in the Book of Mormon appear in these chapters: Abish and the wife of Lamoni. I have written about both of them in the following post:
What Can We Learn from the Women in the Book of Mormon?
Here are some blog posts about the major themes in these chapters:
Preparing to teach
- Open our hearts to the Spirit of the Lord: They Had Searched the Scriptures Diligently – Alma 17:1-3
- Learn and live the gospel: According to the Word and Power of God – Alma 17:17-18
- Invite and acknowledge the influence of the Holy Ghost: A Portion of That Spirit Dwelleth in Me – Alma 18:34-35
Serving effectively
- Integrity, love, service, revelation, and faith: How Can I Be a Better Missionary?
- Seek and follow personal revelation: An Instrument in the Hands of God – Alma 17:9-12
- Act on the promptings you receive: No One Hath Told Me, Save It Be God – Alma 20:2-5
- Service can open doors: I Will Be Thy Servant – Alma 17:23-25
- Be willing to do the dirty work: What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Serving Others?
- Stay focused: Behold, He Is Feeding Thy Horses – Alma 18:8-10
Teaching effectively
- Love the people you teach: When He Also Saw the Great Love He Had for His Son… – Alma 20:26-27
- See people not as they are, but as they can become: His Arm Is Extended to All People – Alma 19:36
- Build on common beliefs: This is God – Alma 18:24-28
- Take advantage of unplanned teaching opportunities: She Ran Forth from House to House – Alma 19:16-17
- Seek for the gift of discernment, to see the “better natures” of those you teach: How Knowest Thou the Thoughts of My Heart? – Alma 18:18-20
- Be wise in choosing how to present your message: What Does It Mean to Be “Caught with Guile?”
- Share your own personal experiences: Many Did Believe in Their Words – Alma 19:33-35
- Teach the people you know—your own friends and family: The King Stood Forth, and Began to Minister unto Them – Alma 22:22-23
- Don’t be intimidated by cynics: We Do Not Believe That Thou Knowest Any Such Thing – Alma 21:7-8
- Invite the people you teach to take appropriate action: I Will Give Away All My Sins – Alma 22:18
- Don’t give up if people respond poorly at first: When She Saw the Contention – Alma 19:28-29
- Remember that learning takes time: Ye Shall Be Patient – Alma 17:11
Other lessons from the mission of the sons of Mosiah
- Being productive: How Can I Be a Better Employee?
- Sustaining our conversion over time: They Had No More Desire to Do Evil – Alma 19:33
- The danger of contempt: And They Would Not Hear – Alma 21:10
- Broadening our perspective: What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Creation of the Earth?
- Overcoming despair through repentance: How Can I Be More Hopeful?
- Praying with sincerity and with commitment: If Thou Art God – Alma 22:18
Blog Posts: June 23-28
“For the Space of an Hour” – Alma 18:14
I’ve been working on being a better listener, so I was inspired by Ammon’s response when King Lamoni failed to answer a question. Here’s the story: King Lamoni was overwhelmed when he learned that his new servant, Ammon, had singlehandedly driven away a large group of marauders who were trying to scatter his sheep. The…
“They Had Given Themselves to Much Prayer and Fasting” – Alma 17:3
It’s easy to think of fasting as an event. It has a defined beginning—when we stop eating—and a defined end—when we start eating again. Many of us also mark the beginning and the end of the fast with a prayer. But in describing the spiritual growth experienced by the sons of Mosiah during their fourteen-year…
“Assuredly It Was Great” – Alma 17:14
The sons of King Mosiah began their mission with two powerful assets: desire and assurance. They wanted more than anything to share the gospel with the Lamanites, whom they considered to be their brothers, not their enemies (Mosiah 28:1-3, Alma 17:9). God had promised their father that they would be protected and successful (Mosiah 28:7).…
“Another Way” – Alma 22:4
When Aaron visited the father of King Lamoni, who was “king over all the land” (Alma 20:8), the king was initially disappointed. He had invited Aaron’s brother Ammon to visit him and to teach him the gospel (Alma 20:27). He was willing to speak with Aaron, but he asked why Ammon had not come with…
The Role of Women in the Conversion of Lamoni’s People
I’ve been thinking today about the role of women in the conversion of King Lamoni’s people. Here are some observations: After Ammon taught the gospel to Lamoni, the king prayed for mercy. Immediately, “he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead.” In response, “his servants took him and carried him in unto his…
“To Me He Doth Not Stink” – Alma 19:5
How do we know what we know? To what degree is our knowledge based on our personal experience and to what degree is it based on what other people tell us? We all know that our own personal experience provides insufficient information to direct all of our decisions. That’s why we read books, ask advice…
Thank you for your wonderful insights in your study. Just a trivia, I was named after Abish from the Book of Mormon.
That’s a fantastic name and a fantastic legacy! Abish was a remarkable woman who was able to lead effectively without holding a position of authority. Thank you for sharing that. Have a great day!