Ammon (Book of Mormon)
Encyclopedia
This article is about the prominent Book of Mormon missionary. For the Book of Mormon explorer, see Ammon (Book of Mormon explorer)
Ammon is a missionary in the Mormon religious text, Book of Mormon
and a contemporary of Alma the Younger
. The Book of Mosiah
describes his original antipathy toward the Nephite Church of God and his subsequent conversion after a sudden vision of an angel. As one of the royal Sons of Mosiah
and likely the oldest, he was approached to eventually succeed his father as king but opted instead to minister among their Lamanite enemies as a missionary. His missionary journeys appear in the Book of Alma
as the most detailed of any missionary activities in the Book of Mormon
.
When bandits attacked their flocks one day, the other servants fled but Ammon stood his ground and was miraculously protected. Ammon was granted supernatural strength and actually cut off the arms of each robber who attacked him. His great power convinced the servants, and the king, that he was favored of God. The king, his household, and the entire kingdom were converted to the Gospel.
Later, Lamoni's love and respect for Ammon impressed Lamoni's father, the king of all the Lamanites. As a result, the Lamanite king accepted the teachings of Aaron, Ammon's brother, and was baptized. The Lamanites converted as a result of Ammon's ministry were called the "Anti-Nephi-Lehies" until they changed their name to the People of Ammon
after their migration to the Nephite land of Jershon. They swore never to take up arms again, and never did, although the Two thousand stripling warriors
were recruited from among their sons.
Ammon (Book of Mormon explorer)
Ammon was the leader of a Nephite expedition from Zarahemla, sent to discover the fate of Zeniff and his people who had not been heard from for 75 years, according to the Book of Mormon. Zeniff and his followers left Zarahemla and travelled to Nephi, their ancestral home, which was then in...
Ammon is a missionary in the Mormon religious text, Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
and a contemporary of Alma the Younger
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
. The Book of Mosiah
Book of Mosiah
The Book of Mosiah is one of the books which make up the Book of Mormon. The title refers to Mosiah II, a king of the Nephites at Zarahemla. The book covers the time period between ca 130 BC and 91 BC, except for when the book has a flashback into the Record of Zeniff, which starts at ca 200 BC,...
describes his original antipathy toward the Nephite Church of God and his subsequent conversion after a sudden vision of an angel. As one of the royal Sons of Mosiah
Sons of Mosiah
The sons of Mosiah is the collective name used in the Book of Mormon for four sons of King Mosiah, whose names were Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni. These sons were notable for their initial opposition to the church, their miraculous repentance and conversion to Christ. They subsequently served as...
and likely the oldest, he was approached to eventually succeed his father as king but opted instead to minister among their Lamanite enemies as a missionary. His missionary journeys appear in the Book of Alma
Book of Alma
The Book of Alma is one of the books that make up the Book of Mormon. The full title is The Book of Alma: The Son of Alma. The title refers to Alma the Younger, a prophet and "chief judge" of the Nephites.-Historical Outline:...
as the most detailed of any missionary activities in the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
.
Early life and conversion
As one of the four sons of King Mosiah, Ammon had tremendous influence among his people, the Nephites. He rejected the Church and attempted to turn the people from the teachings of the prophets. Because of the fervent prayers of their parents, Alma the Younger and the four sons of Mosiah had a conversion experience much like that of Saul of Tarsus. An angel appeared to them on the road and rebuked them for their wickedness. The shock put Alma the Younger into an insensible state for a time; the specific effect upon Ammon is not recorded, but he became fully converted to the Gospel and desired to serve as a missionary to the Lamanites.Successful mission
Ammon and his brothers spent several years teaching the Gospel to the Lamanites. Ammon chose to go first to the land of Ishmael. He was captured by the Lamanites and taken before their king, Lamoni. Lamoni asked his purpose in straying so far from Nephite lands. When Ammon replied that he wanted only to serve, the king, impressed, offered him one of the king's daughters. Ammon refused but became a servant in the king's household, assisting others in caring for his sheep.When bandits attacked their flocks one day, the other servants fled but Ammon stood his ground and was miraculously protected. Ammon was granted supernatural strength and actually cut off the arms of each robber who attacked him. His great power convinced the servants, and the king, that he was favored of God. The king, his household, and the entire kingdom were converted to the Gospel.
Later, Lamoni's love and respect for Ammon impressed Lamoni's father, the king of all the Lamanites. As a result, the Lamanite king accepted the teachings of Aaron, Ammon's brother, and was baptized. The Lamanites converted as a result of Ammon's ministry were called the "Anti-Nephi-Lehies" until they changed their name to the People of Ammon
Ammonites (Book of Mormon)
According to the Book of Mormon, the Ammonites were a group of Lamanites who had been converted to the Christian religion of the Nephites by the missionary efforts of Ammon and his brothers. They rejected the traditions of their fathers and embraced the traditions of the Nephites. To distinguish...
after their migration to the Nephite land of Jershon. They swore never to take up arms again, and never did, although the Two thousand stripling warriors
Two thousand stripling warriors
The two thousand stripling warriors, also known as The Army of Helaman, were an army of young men in the Book of Mormon, first mentioned in the Book of Alma They were extremely valiant and loyal warriors who were all reportedly wounded at one time or another, but none ever died from their...
were recruited from among their sons.