“Ammon Comes Before the King”

Monte S. Nyman

The king’s astonishment over the faithfulness of Ammon was in line with God being of impeccable character, which led to a further acceptance of Ammon as the Great Spirit. However, it caused the king to fear being in the presence of Ammon (v. 11), probably due to his own shortcomings and past sins.

The servants calling Ammon “Rabbanah” was a further indication of their considering him as deity. Mary called the resurrected Christ “Rabboni; which is to say Master” (John 20:16). There seems to be a connection between the two words. Knowing the kings were powerful (Alma 18:13), but placing Ammon above him, could be traced to the truth that Christ was known as “ King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14). Although this doctrine was taught in the New Testament, the Nephites knew “there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fullness of his own time” (2 Nephi 11:7). This doctrine was probably part “of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the [Bible]” (1 Nephi 13:29). The king being awe struck for over an hour (Alma 18:14) further documents the perception of Ammon.

Book of Mormon Commentary: The Record of Alma

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