“They Were Called by the Nephites the People of Ammon”

Brant Gardner

History: After one renaming—from Lamanite to Anti-Nephi-Lehi—they again receive a new name, this time from the people of Zarahemla. This renaming caps the process of accepting them as part of the Zarahemla polity. They are symbolically transformed from former Lamanites into current Nephites by taking Ammon’s name.

The people of Ammon had brought with them a king, and the Nephites currently had no kings. Therefore, Anti-Nephi-Lehi would no longer have been a king, although it would have been logical for him to be the local judge. For his part, Ammon became high priest for the people of Ammon (Alma 30:20).

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

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