Anthropological: In the second half of the formal exchange between Limhi and Ammon, Ammon repeats the basic genealogical formula. Limhi had declared a lineage through Zeniff (as founder of the dynasty) and ultimate authority out of Zarahemla. Ammon is no king, and has no kingly authority, but does have a lineage, and that lineage traces through Zarahemla. It is important to note in Ammon’s discourse that he gives two pieces of information. The first is that he is a descendant of Zarahemla. With this statement he places himself in a lineage founded by Zarahemla, just as Limhi had placed himself within a newer lineage founded by Zeniff. This is interesting because we have a lineal Zarahemlaite entrusted with the location of what was surely a people founded by a lineal/cultural Nephite (from the original city of Nephi). This seems to indicate a fairly complete acceptance of the Zarahemlaites in the new covenant in Zarahemla, since a different kin group is sent after the Zeniffites. Had their been any continuing animosity, such a move would never have been considered.
The second note is that Ammon specifically mentions that he comes “up out of the land of Zarahemla.” Zarahemla is used here in both the sense of a founding person and a geographical location. Ammon is giving a dual identification, first as a lineage, and second as a polity, or a political entity.