Mission to the Lamanites

Ammon’s Arrival in Ishmael

Alma 17:18–19

Having separated himself from the others, Ammon travels alone to a land called Ishmael.

Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout the land. And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.

Alma 17:19–21

Lamanite guards, upon seeing Ammon, apprehend him, and bring him to their king, a man named Lamoni.

And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him and bound him, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites who fell into their hands, and carry them before the king; and thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them, or to retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast them out of his land, according to his will and pleasure. And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a descendant of Ishmael.

Alma 17:22–23

Lamoni asks Ammon if he intends to live among the Lamanites; Ammon says he does.

And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people. And Ammon said unto him:

“Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time;
yea, and perhaps until the day I die.”

Alma 17:24

Lamoni, impressed with Ammon, frees him and offers one his daughters to him.

And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.

Alma 17:25

Ammon refuses, but instead offers to be Lamoni’s servant.

But Ammon said unto him:

“Nay, but I will be thy servant.”

Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni. And it came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.