“The King Stood Forth, and Began to Minister Unto Them”

Brant Gardner

The setup of the experience parallels Lamoni’s, but the conclusion differs in form (though not in spiritual result). The presence of a large number of people is important because it means that many can attest to the miracle. Here, the king rises at Aaron’s command and converts his household, who then form the nucleus of believers in the whole city. Not only does the conversion process begin with the king, but it is also confirmed by his household.

Reference: As Ammon “put forth his hand and raised” Lamoni, and Abish raised the queen (Alma 19:29–30), so Aaron raises the king. Other ancient writings record similar incidents. John A. Tvedtnes notes examples from the Apocalypse of Abraham, 1 Enoch, and Eusebius’s Praeparatio Evangelica. These similarities are not literary connections, but literary patterning.

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

References