In the narrative of the Book of Mormon, the unnamed Lamanite queen played a significant role in the spiritual transformation of her people during the missionary efforts of Aaron and his brethren. She initially appeared in the context of a tense and potentially violent situation, where she misunderstood her husband—the king’s—spiritual experience for death (Alma 22:19). Fearful and seeking to avenge what she believed to be her husband’s demise, she commanded her servants to kill Aaron and his companions, assuming they were responsible (Alma 22:19, 21).
Despite her initial reaction, her actions ultimately contributed to a profound turning point for her household and her people. When her servants, gripped by fear of attacking the Lord’s messengers, hesitated to carry out her orders, she became exceedingly afraid herself, which led to a further escalation as she sought to amass a larger force to execute her command (Alma 22:21). However, when Aaron miraculously raised the king, her fear turned to astonishment, and, witnessing this miracle, she, along with her servants and her household, was converted unto the Lord (Alma 22:23). This sweeping change of heart within the queen’s household had a far-reaching impact, opening the door for the widespread acceptance of the missionaries’ teaching across the Lamanite nation.
The significance of her conversion, along with her household’s, underscored the broader movement wherein the Lamanite converts, later named Anti-Nephi-Lehies, relinquished their past traditions of violence (Alma 23:17). Importantly, the change in spiritual orientation among the Lamanites was most evident through the influence of the converted mothers on their sons, who would become the stripling warriors, renowned for their faith and valor in the defense of their adopted Nephite nation (Alma 57:21). Through her transformative experience, the Lamanite queen indirectly influenced a generation committed to peace and righteousness, marking an unexpected outcome from her initial confrontational stance.