Mormon has been telling a fairly complex story, interweaving the experiences of Ammon and Aaron, both of which were important. We needed to be introduced to Lamoni’s father, because he is the focus for Aaron’s story. The details we have about him already confirm his cultural hatred for the Nephites (Alma 20:10) and his astonishment after losing a conflict of arms with Ammon. His original amazement at Ammon’s actions and lack of worldly demands opened the door for Aaron’s release and will now begin to open the door to his heart.
Text: Our current chapter 22 was not a separate chapter in the 1830 edition, and Mormon used this verse to provide the transition between Ammon’s and Aaron’s stories. This chapter focuses on the story of Aaron before Lamoni’s father but begins (in this verse) by concluding the story of Ammon and Lamoni. The formal chapter break in our current edition performs the same function more prominently than this verse.
Politics: This verse tells us more about these Lamanites’ political structure. Lamoni’s father reigns in the land of Nephi, which became Lamanite territory around 200 B.C. when Mosiah1 led his people to Zarahemla. (For the date, see commentary accompanying Omni 1:8.) As noted in Zeniff’s story, people in the land of Nephi included many who were lineally Nephite, but politically Lamanite. (See commentary accompanying Mosiah 9:1.) The Book of Mormon often describes former Nephites as the most vehemently anti-Nephite.
Sorenson’s geography argues for the identification of city of Nephi with the site of Kaminaljuyú, then the most prominent city in this area. Appropriately, the overlord resides in the land of Nephi, presumably at the former city of Nephi, possibly at the Kaminaljuyú site.