1 AND it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his servants should stand forth and testify to all the things which they had seen concerning the matter.

2 And when they had all testified to the things which they had seen, and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in preserving his flocks, and also of his great power in contending against those who sought to slay him, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Surely, this is more than a man. Behold, is not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon this people, [ Interesting that they always suggest that God is a God of punishment, not a God of blessing. Why do you think they see him that way? ] , because of their murders?

3 And they [ The Kings servants that had seen it all happen. ] answered the king, and said: Whether he be the Great Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king; neither can they scatter the king’s flocks when he is with us, because of his expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that [ In Hebrew, the word for "know" is the word yada, which means not only learning about something or someone but experiencing something or someone. It is not a superficial experience of God but a profoundly intimate experience. In the Israelite worldview, The Old Testament is the foundation of this experience. ] he is a friend to the king. [ So could we imply that it was suggested to these men to watch out for Ammon, we are not sure it he is here to trick us or something sso keep your head about you at all times. ] And now, O king, we do not believe that a man has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.

4 And now, when the king heard these words, he said unto them: Now I know that it is the Great Spirit; and he has come down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your brethren. Now this is the Great Spirit of whom our fathers have spoken.

5 Now this was the tradition of Lamoni, which he had received from his father, [ He had been taught that there was a God and that he had a power beyond that of man. Such that as he saw a man that had God like power he thought that it was God himself. He most likely was taught that God would someday return - So he thought why not now. ] that there was a Great Spirit. Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that whatsoever they did was right; [ Denoting the importance of the written law. Without it we can quickly drift to a state where we make our own rules, we justify anything that we desire to do - hence we can always be right in our decisions. ] nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his servants; [ So in essence it appears as if King Lamoni is fearful that the great spirit has been offended because he was slaying his servants who lost the sheep. This is why the Great spirit suggested that he tend the flocks of the King, else why was he here? Knowing that Ammon who he thought was the great spirit had stepped in and defended the men who had been guarding the kings sheep. Also knowing the power with which Ammon had done this the king would have had great fear that he may be the next in line for punishment. ]

6 For he had slain many of them because their brethren had scattered their flocks at the place of water; and thus, because they had had their flocks scattered they were slain.

7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away many that were scattered unto their own land, it being a practice of plunder among them. [ How does Satan used this tactic today? Well he will try to get us to isolate ourselves from the group, he will get us to self talk that we are not good enough, that we do not fit in or are not welcome, that they don't like us, the list is long but the result is the same. Once isolated from our good friends those that might have been there to help us to build us up when we needed it - So that now when we get down there is no one there to help, and so we get lower and lower dragging ourselves down to a state of misery and despair. We are just not as strong as we are when we are with a group of good friends with good principles. Part of the plan of happiness calls that we are there to reach out to help others when they are in need, with the idea that they will be there when we need them, we are the lords hands. So from this story we can see the importance of both not letting ourselves get separated from the main flock, and that we must also be vigilant in looking out for those that have gotten separated. ]

8 And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants, saying: Where is this man that has such great power? [ The king was worried per verse 5 so he wanted to know exactly where Ammon was right now. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer... ]

9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.

10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.

11 Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and I would desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not. [ Why would he not want to ask Ammon to come to him? Leta sleeping dog sleep so to speak, he was not sure if he wanted to find out what Ammon had in store for him, he was a little nervous to find out I suppose. ]

12 And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence.

13 And one of the king’s servants said unto him, Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great king, [ In the Hebrew traddition to interpret something means to make a connection with something in the Torah ( The first 5 Books of Moses in the Old Testament ). This is done to communicate greater teachings, and direct the reader to specific scriptures and teachings. When the word interpreted is used it is a key for us that there are hidden teachings for in the Torah relating to this topic, go look for it. Ammon is a symbol for Enoch. "RAB" means master, powerful or high person or great one. But we need to now look in the Books of moses for the phrase "powerful or great king". Gen 6:4 Where we find the word powerful (gibbor). This verse is also translated as "There were Nephilim (giants) in the earth in those days;and also after, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men. and they bare children to them, the same were mighty (powerful) men like unti the ancients-men of the name. " Meaning the name YHVH. The word Nephilim is also connected to the idea of those who came down from above. Nephilim is the idea of the giant or the constellation Orion, specifically Orions belt. We can also connect this scripture to the Book of Moses 8:18-21. Referring to the ancient world where the men were might men with great power to perform might works and wonders. By usiing the word Rabbanah in the text, the Book of Alma is connecting the story of Ammon (a symbol for Enoch) and King Lamoni & the Laminites. In other words, couched in the story of ammon and the people of King Lamoni is a greater account of Enoch among the children of Seth; specifically those who descended from the mountain of God, intermingled with the children of Cain, and there fore could no longer ascend the mountain. (see 2nd Book of Adam and Eve). While it's peshat (literal) interpretation is the story of Ammon and King Lamoni, it's prophetic interpretation is revealing a much older account of Enoch and the redemption of the children of Seth. The Lamanite word “Rabbanah” obviously has the same derivation and meaning as the Hebrew word, Rabboni (Jn 20:16) or Rabbi. “Rabbanah is a wonderful word. Translated, it means powerful, or great king. In applying that name to Ammon, the servants of Lamoni did not know that in reality he was a prince, the son of the mighty king of the Nephites. But after Ammon's miraculous exploits at the Waters of Sebus, they regarded him, as did their master, something more than a man.” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, p. 265) ] considering their kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him: Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to stay.

14 Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the king answered him not for the space of an hour, according to their time, for he knew not what he should say unto him. [ Why? What was going on in the mind of Lamoni? Do you suppose he was trying to think through all of the ways that he might answer Ammon and not place himself in greater danger. Remember he is at this point fearful of Ammon and his great power. What would you ask if you had an hour with an apostle? ]

15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not. [ It has been an hour and still nothing from the King. Lamoni is truely deliberating what he should say, or if he should say anything. ]

16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. [ Put yourself in that position; you have heard of Ammons great power over those trying to steal the sheep and now he is reading your mind. How nervous would you be? ] And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, [ Ammon killed 6 with the sling and the leader with the sword. ] and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings?

17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.

18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled [ To be filled with wonder and astonishment. ] again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; [ If Ammon can know Lamoni's thoughts then Lamoni is really in trouble in his mind as he is dealing woith a power beyond his comprehension. ] but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?

19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.

20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—

21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.

22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, [ Why is this an important distinction here? Because we see in the next verse that King Lamoni was caught with guile. ] he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile. [ Craft; cunning; artifice; duplicity; deceit; usually in a bad sense. ]

24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, [ Why was he so bold? Because he had and felt the power of the spirit. Timidity or uncertainty are not companions of the Spirit. DCBM, 3:136. ] and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.

26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?

27 And he said, Yea.

28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?

29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.

30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God dwells and all his holy angels.

31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?

32 And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

33 And king Lamoni said: I believe all these things which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from God?

34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true; [ That which is just is that which is right. Thus the justified are those who have done that which is right and proper in the eyes of God, or whose lives have been made right through the mediation of a greater power. That which is true is that which is faithful or trustworthy. To be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true is to come to that knowledge which marks a straight course, one which can be followed with full confidence and trust. DCBM, 3:136 ]

35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.

36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, [ Why do we see that we must teach the plan of salvation right at the start of our discussions about the gospel? when we understand tha plan, why we are here, what is expected of us then the rest kind of falls into place. ] and also the creation of Adam, [ Man or mankind – in the council in heaven we agreed using our agency to be bound by the consequences of any action of Adam who was to be our first parent – just as we are bound by any actions of any other of our parents – some are born into the church others are not…] and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.

37 And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travail, and so forth.

38 And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time. [ Where does Ammon start in teaching gospel principles. He then explained the doctrines of the plan of salvation the Creation and the Fall-- expounded the scriptures of ancient history, and finished with the plan of redemption. He used the scriptures from both the Old and New Worlds as his basic source (Alma 18:36-39). Ammon's straightforward doctrinal approach calls to mind President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.'s comment about how not to teach our spiritually alert youth, ‘There is no need for gradual approaches, for 'bed-time' stories, for coddling, for patronizing, or for any of the other childish devices’. If Ammon could teach doctrine from the scriptures to a wicked Lamanite who barely knew God existed, surely students in modern Zion deserve to be taught in the same way.” (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, “Alma, the Test of the Word,” edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 269) What do you teach a person who has no knowledge of God or the gospel and yet has consented to listen and believe? Where do you start? What principles do you emphasize? The way in which Ammon taught King Lamoni constitutes a classic response to such questions. Ammon taught him what we have come to know as the three pillars of eternity-the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement. These three doctrines, which are inseparably associated one with the other, constitute the foundation upon which all other gospel principles must rest. Indeed, any principle that cannot comfortably rest on the foundation of these doctrines (or be tied to it) has no place in the teachings of God’s kingdom. To testify that Jesus of Nazareth is our Savior raises the question (particularly to one such as Lamoni), From what do we need to be saved? The answer of course is the fall of Adam. This in turn raises the question, From what did Adam fall? The answer is the paradisiacal state in which all things were originally created. Thus the creation becomes parent to the Fall, and the Fall parent to the Atonement.” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, p. 135) Joseph Smith: “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel-you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 348). ]

39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.

40 And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words.

41 And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; [ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf”: “Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the son of God (Acts 20:28).” (“The Gift of Grace,” April 2015 General Conference). Those who believe in salvation by obedience alone believe in self-sufficiency. “It has been truly said that the greatest of all Christian sins is the sin of self-sufficiency,” said George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl in Commentary on the Book of Mormon, (edited and arranged by Philip C. Reynolds, 7 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1955-1961], 4).] according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.

42 And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead. [ What is the significance of 3 days? 3 means perfect, or complete. There are 3 members of the Godhead, The death of the natural man. His being in this state for three days is similar to Alma, Paul, and Jonah’s being in the belly of the fish. All of these are similar to the three days Jesus would be in the tomb prior to his resurrection. ]

43 And it came to pass that his servants took him and carried him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay as if he were dead for the space of two days and two nights; and his wife, and his sons, and his daughters mourned over him, after the manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting his loss.