Ammon and Aaron are both sons of the Nephite King Mosiah. Along with their brothers Omner and Himni, they renounced their claims to their father’s throne, thus ending their people’s dependence on monarchical rule. The Nephites had witnessed in the past generation how destructive a wicked king can be to his people, with the example of King Noah’s destructive tyranny fresh in their memory.
As we have learned, Ammon demonstrates great faith to carry the gospel into Lamanite lands and right into the heart of one of the Lamanites’ kings—King Lamoni. So there’s an interesting theme surrounding the experiences of King Mosiah’s sons. They are finding ways to minimize the damage that imperfect humans in leadership roles can do to the people they rule. They already showed a desire to “do no harm” by refusing to be kings in their own land. Now, they are softening the minds and hearts of the people who rule over the Lamanites.
In just a few chapters, Ammon’s reliance on the Lord in several perilously life-threatening situations have given us plenty of material for a great adventure movie plot. Not only have the hearts of Lamoni and his wife been transformed, but in his encounter with Lamoni’s father—the king over all the land—Ammon found a way to show that love conquers all, and the father is now waiting in the wings to learn more.
Our narrative turns back to the moment when Ammon, his brothers, and their other companions take a deep breath and each travel to different areas populated by the Lamanites to share the truth about God’s plan—with Jesus’ sacrifice and triumph over death and sin at the center of it.
We learn that Ammon’s brother Aaron goes to a place called Jerusalem (this is an area in the Americas—where the Nephites and Lamanites now live—named after the much better known holy city in the Middle East). This name provides a hint for us about the people who live there. They are still very focused on the places from their family’s past. We know that Laman and Lemuel used to complain that they were pressured into leaving the comfort and stability of their hometown, and that this argument is something their descendants regularly rehash when voicing grievances about their Nephite rivals. So before we even follow Aaron into the land of Jerusalem, we have some idea of the reception he’ll get (not a very welcoming one) (verses 1-2).
Our narrator (Mormon) also tells us that many of the people in this area are Amalekites and Amulonites, people who are from the family of the wicked priests of Noah. Their opposition to the teachings of gospel truth is even more pronounced than the Lamanites’ basic annoyance. The people of Amalek and Amulon hate anything that could turn their fellow inhabitants toward greater independence of thought and action, because they have become very attached to the control over others that comes with power, position, and prestige (verse 3).
The attitude of the people of Jerusalem can be summed up this way: they feel they are entitled to every accolade or achievement that anyone else gets without having to be held accountable for the consequences of their actions. Why shouldn’t they get every blessing from the Lord, even if they don’t exercise their faith (verses 4-6)?
The most telltale sign of this attitude is the people’s resistance to learning about Jesus Christ. When Aaron brings up redemption from sin through the Son of God, the people of Jerusalem first dismiss him as a fool, then angrily mock him (verses 7-10). Aaron and his missionary companions try moving to other areas, but receive similarly cold responses. When they reach a land called Middoni, Aaron and some of his companions are thrown in prison, with a few others fleeing the same fate (verses 11-13).
After Ammon and King Lamoni come to Middoni and secure their release (something also mentioned in the previous chapter), Aaron and his companions go right back out there to preach the gospel, showing amazing faith and perseverance (verses 14-16). Even if they may feel a new level of support at this point—or at least toleration from the ruling authorities—they still face a hardened people who have previously rejected them at every turn. Also, depending on where they might feel inspired to wander, it is possible they might move into an area with people who have not gotten the word from the ruling authorities to let them be.
Aaron and his company seem to have gone everywhere and anywhere they could to share the message of salvation through Jesus, and Mormon says that they are being led by the Spirit of the Lord. As ever, the Spirit does not lead anyone wrong. It may lead someone into adversity, but if that person is following the Spirit’s guidance, they will often find God working through them to great effect, or learn powerful lessons that helps them grow beyond measure.
The Lord “begins to bless” Aaron and his company. They help many come to a knowledge of the truth, and convince them of their sins and of the incorrectness of their family traditions (verse 17). It is hard for any of us to discard our family traditions, so it’s always impressive when a teacher of the truth can provide another person enough light to help them realize that some of what they learned as a child is wrong or incomplete.
In the meantime, King
Lamoni and Ammon return to the land of Ishmael. Now that he has been given full
authority in this area by his father, Lamoni builds synagogues (places of
gathering to teach and learn about God’s plan and Jesus’ role at the center of
it) and declares that they have freedom of worship. Ammon teaches truth to
Lamoni’s people and exhorts them daily, and the people heed his word and are “zealous
for keeping the commandments of God” (verses 18-23).
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