“He Is Not Dead, but He Sleepeth in God”

Brant Gardner

These details confirm the material Mormon had not included. Ammon had been present when Lamoni began praying. When Lamoni collapsed, he was taken to his bedchamber and Ammon had not seen him since, although he obviously remained close enough that the queen could summon him without difficulty. Ammon describes Lamoni’s state: He “sleepeth in God.” Ammon’s teaching had explained the connection, through the Spirit, between himself and Yahweh; now he confirms that Yahweh has power over the king. The queen must have desired Ammon to restore the king immediately but was probably comforted to hear such a precise prophecy about when he would regain consciousness. (See commentary accompanying Alma 29:16 for possible connections to the Mesoamerican concept of the shamanic journey.)

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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