Category: Scripture Notes

The people of Ammon were willing to be slaves to the Nephites – instead they referred into a deal whereby they were given land and protection on condition that they make provisions to support their protectors.

I wonder if Ammon had developed a reputation for boasting when he was younger – before his conversion. That could explain why Aaron worried that he was getting carried away at first. To us who have his words of is easy to dismiss that he was boasting in himself but perhaps to a brother who…

I wonder if Lamoni or Anti-Nephi-Lehi were among those killed by the Lamanites. Neither of them is mentioned by name anymore in the record. If so, they died as righteous men. Regardless, we know that both were willing to die and we’re among those prostrating themselves and praying as the Lamanites attacked their people.

One interesting thing about the missionary work among the Lamanites was that they were converted in entire cities. I think that says something about the communal nature of their culture. Some communities had developed an openness such that they would hear new ideas and as one person was convinced of the truth of the gospel…

Did the Lord send Aaron to the father of Lamoni instead of Ammon as test – perhaps to ensure that the king didn’t believe out of fear of Ammon. The rest might have been to lay to rest any doubts in the mind of either the king or the missionaries.

Aaron and others who were leaving among those who refused to hear them paid attention to the response of their asiatice and when they would not hear these missionaries went elsewhere until they find those who would listen. Sometimes we want to argue and convince but it is usually better to move on (and possibly…

We know from later that the father of Lamoni was a good man but his actions and words toward Ammon when they first met were harsh and hateful. He clearly had great prejudice against the Nephites. Eventually he would abandoned that and discover the truth.

When Abish called the people to see she had one idea of how they would understand what they were doing but when they gathered there were many different perspectives on what they were observing and those opinions were vastly different. It is always true that no matter how we see a thing others may take…

We can tell that Lamoni was a good man (even before his conversion) because of his instinctive belief in the goodness or justness of the Great Spirit (his understanding of a Supreme Being). Due to his lack of understanding Lamoni was very confused at the prospect that this Great Spirit has come among his people…

I’m sure that Ammon didn’t accidentally flatter Lamoni. He had been taught the customs of the Lamanites and expected to be taken captive and knew that a positive response would likely be favorably received.