Post by Ammon
We now have a church established among the Lamanites. That sounds so trite. In my previous post I said, “With the grace of a loving and forgiving Father in Heaven, we now have a church of Jesus Christ established among the Lamanites.” That sounds so easy. It wasn’t.
Following the great outpouring of the spirit where the great veil of darkness was thrown off, the work began in earnest. King Lamoni held great power over the people yet he never enforced any kind of conversion. His approach was to testify and invite. He did proclaim freedom for converts to believe and worship. Many embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ and became ardent followers.
I read from the history of our people, including the words of Jacob that many efforts have been made to reclaim the Lamanites from their fallen state. Those efforts failed time after time. I feel so very blessed to be among those chosen to come and participate in this great effort among the Lamanites. It is and was a pleasure to lead those who believed into the waters of baptism. Joy is an insufficient word to describe watching the Lord pour out his spirit upon King Lamoni’s people and see the Lord’s arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on His name.
If you recall, following the experience at the Waters of Mormon, the king had commanded us to prepare his horses and chariots for a journey he was to take to a celebration hosted by his father, the King of all the Lamanites. Well, we kind of missed that celebration. Regardless, King Lamoni desired that I accompany him to meet with his father. Honored for the invitation, I couldn’t think of a better introduction to the real power behind the Lamanite nation.
Then as ironic as life seems to be, my big ideas weren’t so big after all. The spirit came to me and said, “Don’t go, the king will seek your life. Instead, go to the land of Middoni. Your brother Aaron and Muloki and Ammah are in prison there.”
I got no resistance from King Lamoni when I told him I needed to go deliver my brothers from prison in Middoni. That somewhat surprised me. He told me he knew I didn’t need help because of the strength of the Lord, no other help was needed, but he said he’d go with me. The king in the land of Middoni was a friend of his named Antiomno. He said he could help flatter Antiomno and free my brothers.
Then he asked who told me about my brothers in prison. When I said God told me, he said, “Come I will go with you to Middoni and I will plead with Antiomno. He’ll free your brothers.”
Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 20
