“Ammon, He Being a Strong and Mighty Man”

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

Ammon is “a strong and mighty man” and a descendant of Zarahemla of Mulekite lineage (Mosiah 7:3). He is the leader of a group sent out around 121 b.c. by Mosiah, son of Benjamin and grandson of Mosiah I, to determine the whereabouts and circumstances of a group of colonists that left Zarahemla about 200 b.c., bound for the land of Nephi (see Omni 1:27–30). As a preview to what will follow below, we note that Ammon is to be successful in his mission. He discovers Limhi and his followers, who are in bondage to the Lamanites. Limhi is the son of Noah, who was the son of Zeniff, the original colonizer. Limhi and his people are enlightened by Ammon concerning the affairs of the people in Zarahemla since the departure of Zeniff, including the last words of King Benjamin (see Mosiah 8:3), delivered around 124 b.c. With the help of Ammon, the colonists eventually escape from Lamanite bondage and return to Zarahemla to join the remainder of the Nephites.

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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