King Lamoni’s Conversion

Alma 18–19

After Ammon saved King Lamoni’s flocks and cared for his horses, he spoke boldly to the king about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ammon taught him about God and the teachings of the prophets in the scriptures. He also reviewed the history of their people. Ammon explained the plan of salvation and told the king and his servants to look forward to the coming of Christ. King Lamoni listened and believed.

When Ammon finished, the king prayed out loud that the Lord would forgive him and be merciful to him and to his people. As soon as he prayed, King Lamoni fell down, as if he were dead. The servants carried him to his wife and laid him on his bed. For two days, King Lamoni lay still. His family mourned over him and thought he might have died. The servants told the queen about Ammon and his great power, so she sent for him. She told Ammon that she did not think the king was dead, but that everyone else thought they should put King Lamoni in a sepulchre.

 

_____________________

 

Sepulchre

A sepulchre is a burial tomb, a vault, or a grave.

 

_____________________

 

Ammon saw the king on his bed and told the queen that the king was not dead; he was “sleeping in God,” and he would rise again the next day. The queen believed Ammon and watched over her husband. Just as Ammon foretold, King Lamoni rose from his bed the next day. The king reached for his wife and told her that as surely as she lived, he had seen Jesus. He was so filled with joy that he collapsed again, and the queen also fell down, being overpowered by the Spirit.

Ammon saw how his prayers for them were being answered, and he knelt down to thank God. Ammon was so filled with joy that he fell down, along with the king and the queen. When the servants saw what had happened, they, too, began to pray. They were so overcome with joy that they also fell down—except for one servant named Abish. She had converted to the Lord many years earlier when her father had a remarkable vision. She knew the power of God was upon them, so she ran from house to house telling the people what had happened.

A crowd of people gathered at the king’s house. Some thought evil had come upon them. Some thought Ammon was the Great Spirit. They argued among themselves about what power held the king, the queen, Ammon, and the servants. One man whose brother had been slain by Ammon (while he was defending the king’s flocks) drew his sword to kill Ammon, but just as he lifted his sword, the man fell dead. The crowd saw how the man died instantly and became afraid.

While the crowd argued among themselves, Abish became sad and began to cry. She took the queen by the hand, and as she touched her hand, the queen stood and said, “O blessed Jesus.” After the queen spoke, she clasped her hands with joy and then took the king by the hand. He stood, scolded the people for arguing, and repeated Ammon’s teachings. The servants also stood and explained that their hearts had been changed. They told the people that they had seen and spoken with angels. Many of the people listened and believed; many others would not listen. Those who believed were baptized, and Ammon established a church among them.