Mission to the Lamanites

The Church’s Establishment in Ishmael

Alma 21:18

Ammon and Lamoni leave Aaron and his brothers, and return to Ishmael.

And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni returned from the land of Middoni to the land of Ishmael, which was the land of their inheritance.

Alma 21:19–20

Ammon is promoted from servant status and synagogues and churches are built throughout the land of Ishmael.

And king Lamoni would not suffer that Ammon should serve him, or be his servant. But he caused that there should be synagogues built in the land of Ishmael; and he caused that his people, or the people who were under his reign, should assemble themselves together.

Alma 21:21–22

Lamoni is happy in declaring to the people that they are free to worship as they please.

And he did rejoice over them, and he did teach them many things. And he did also declare unto them that they were a people who were under him, and that they were a free people, that they were free from the oppressions of the king, his father; for that his father had granted unto him that he might reign over the people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land round about.

And he also declared unto them that they might have the liberty of worshiping the Lord their God according to their desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it were in the land which was under the reign of king Lamoni.

Alma 21:23

Ammon is their religious teacher, he encourages the people to live the gospel faithfully.

And Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it came to pass that he did teach them all things concerning things pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with all diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were zealous for keeping the commandments of God.