The end of verse 5 continues the recasting of the meaning of Ammon's appearance. It is the extrapolation of the statement in verse 4 that the king now sees a connection between Ammon's efforts and the fate of previous servants, and the fate that would have awaited the current servants. As he contemplates the situation, he now sees Ammon as possibly concerned with the king's position concerning the servants to failed at this given task. The extreme punishment of servants who fail in a task assigned by and for the king is not at all unusual in the various cultures of the world, and certainly the king had not previously lost any sleep over his actions. It is the appearance of Ammon, and his process of reassessing the meaning of Ammon's appearance that has brought this particular conflict to the fore.
The second issue in this verse is the discussion of the Great Spirit. It is quite probable that the particular translation of the Lamanite deity as "Great Spirit" is an artifact of Joseph's experience with Native American traditions in his own day. That is the translation that had become common for the Native American deity, though all tribes has rather more specific names for the deity. Similarly, King Lamoni would probably have named a particular god. This particular explanatory verse is given to us by Mormon. Mormon tells us that they believe in a Great Spirit, because that will be an important point on which Ammon builds. What Mormon does, however, is make sure that we understand that while they believe in the Great Spirit, they "they supposed that whatsoever they did was right." For Mormon, this is how Lamoni could justify executing the servants even though he believed in a Great Spirit. In fact, virtually all peoples suppose "that whatsoever they [do is] right." We all have our definitions about how things ought to be, and we assume that our way must be the right way. Mormon certainly holds such feelings about his own culture, but does not recognize that in himself, because he assumes that it is obvious that the Nephite way really is right.
Alma 18:7
7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away many that were scattered unto their own land, it being a practice of plunder among them.
Textual: This verse is an explanatory insertion by Mormon. Mormon apparently realized that he had not well described the reason for this assault on the flocks of the king. He tells us that it "was the practice of these Lamanites." Mormon does not make distinction between Lamanite communities. As was noted in the last chapter, it would be very unlikely that these particular Lamanite thieves would be members of King Lamoni's community because the chance of recognition would be too great. Mormon's indication that it was a "practice of plunder" may refer to several types of activities. It may be a reference to the general practice of warring for booty. It may indicate that there were small bands of thieves (perhaps the forerunners or cousins of the Gadianton robbers). It may also simply be a Nephite exaggeration concerning a people for whom we know that Mormon has an abiding antipathy.