Ammon & King Lamoni- A Mighty Change of Heart
Ammon and King Lamoni’s story shows what happens when someone believes the words taught with power and authority from God. King Lamoni, his wife and his servants experienced a “mighty change in heart” when the Lord baptized them by fire and the Holy Ghost. Their experiences give us valuable insights into how anyone with their faith can shed their “dispositions to do evil” and become fully converted.
📖 Summary & Study guide
Mighty Change of Heart Prepares Us for God’s Presence
Alma and Amulek taught the doctrine of Christ so that people might enter into the rest of the Lord (Alma 16:13-19,21). This “entering into the rest of the Lord” is the second comforter. The heart of the natural man is hardened. He (or she) is an enemy to God (Mosiah 3:19), until a “mighty change of heart” occurs.
In Moses’s day, he sought diligently to prepare the children of Israel to receive a mighty change of heart. This change of heart would prepare them to accept the same invitation. To enter into the Lord’s Rest (receive their second comforter) while in the wilderness.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
The ancient Israelites, despite their witness of several miracles in their journey, did not obtain this mighty change. Ammon would seek diligently to teach King Lamoni’s kingdom that they might enjoy the same privilege. The doctrine of Christ brings us into Chris’s presence in this life, if we live it with faith and integrity.
6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
How to Teach with Power & Authority of God
During their 14 year ministry, Alma and the sons of Mosiah (Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Himni) waxed strong in the knowledge of truth. These were men of sound understanding that searched the scriptures diligently to know the word of God. They prayed and fasted much so they obtained the gift of prophecy and revelation. Therefore, they taught with power and authority from God (Alma 17:2-5).
During their ministry they suffered and endured afflictions including hunger, thirst and fatigue. They labored much in the spirit like Alma (Alma 8:10, Alma 17:5). To “labor in the spirit” means to wrestle with God in mighty prayer, for the people in the city. They desired with all their hearts he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.
Despite their troubles, Ammon and the sons of Mosiah had a lot of missionary success among the Lamanites:
4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him.
Ammon King Lamoni
Ammon became King Lamoni’s servant by volunteering to help the King. This unusual offer from Ammon to King Lamoni surprised and delighted the king. Ammon worked hard, gained the trust of King Lamoni and his fellow servants and strengthened his brethren. He was brave enough to contend with enemies of the King, defeating those who scattered the king’s flocks (Alma 17:7-21,26-39).
Filled with the spirit of God, Ammon perceived the thoughts of King Lamoni, whom he desired to teach. He desired no honor unto himself. Ammon took thought to present the plan of redemption (doctrine of Christ) in a persuasive manner to the king. He spoke boldly to him so that the King might have every opportunity to convert to Christ.
King Lamoni believed the words of Ammon and cried out unto God for mercy for himself and his people. His pleadings with God initiated a broken heart and contrite spirit and a mighty change of heart. This caused him to fall to the earth as if he were dead in a 3 day baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost experience (Alma 18:1-6,8-43).
King Lamoni Receives Mighty Change of Heart
Ammon knew that the dark veil was being removed and that Lamoni was overcome with light (Alma 19:6). King Lamoni arose and testified that he had seen Jesus. King Lamoni received the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost during this time (Alma 19:12-13).
When Ammon witnessed the mercy and redemption of God upon King Lamoni, he cried out in thanksgiving to God. The Spirit then overpowered Ammon and he fell into a trance also (Alma 19:14). This led to the servants of the king crying out unto God and also receiving the spirit (Alma 19:15-16).
Ammon’s enemies cannot slay him, because he qualified for protection and deliverance from his enemies (Alma 19:22-23). This is according to the promise of the Lord for all those who He “chooses.”
20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Lamoni’s Household Have Mighty Change of Heart
The Queen (Lamoni’s wife) arose, praised Jesus and cried out to him for her people then raises her husband up from his 3 day sleep (Alma 19:29-30). Just as King Lamoni received his mighty change of heart, the queen received hers also through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, having been born again as a daughter of God.
After the king rises and rebukes the people teaching them the words that Ammon had taught him (Alma 19:31). The king’s servants rose up and declared their baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost experiences (Alma 19:31). Their hearts had been changed mightily. They had “no more desire to do evil.”
33 And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil. 34 And behold, many did declare unto the people that they had seen angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had told them things of God, and of his righteousness.
35 And it came to pass that there were many that did believe in their words; and as many as did believe were baptized; and they became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among them.
Fruits of the Mighty Change in Our Hearts
King Benjamin’s people also received their baptisms of fire and the Holy Ghost. They experienced the exact same mighty change in them, with the same fruits as Ammon and King Lamoni’s household:
2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.
Those who converted from Ammon’s preaching went forth and testified of their experiences, including seeing and conversing with angels (Alma 19:34). Many more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ by their sharing of true experiences.
In another Book of Mormon example, the Lamanites cried unto God and received deliverance from the cloud of darkness. They went on to receive the baptism of fire and baptism of the Holy Ghost. From there, they immediately went forth declaring their experiences, which convinced an entire nation to turn from their violent ways (Helaman 5:40-52).
The Path to the Mighty Change in Heart
Lehi’s vision teaches us how to enter in at the gate and get on the path that leads to the tree of life. Lehi describes awakening to his awful situation when he tells of following a man in a white robe into a dark and dreary wilderness. He was led there by a mortal man, and his predicament came from trusting and following this man’s instructions.
Realizing he was in a dark place, he cried out unto the Lord. It was the Lord only who instructed Lehi and showed him the tree of life and the path. Lehi entered in by the gate (baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost) and got on the path that leads to fruit of the tree, or the second comforter.
Conclusion
Back to the story of Ammon, King Lamoni and the conversion of his household. Those who believed the preaching of Ammon (and received their baptisms of the Holy Ghost) became a righteous people. The Lord poured out His spirit upon them and Ammon was able to form a Church of Christ among them (Alma 19:35-36).
Our path is the same. We too must learn to hearken only to the preaching of those that teach the doctrine of Christ with power, boldness and authority from God. We must call upon God in humility and mighty prayer, willing to give up our sins to know Him. Only then can He baptize us with fire and the Holy Ghost, give us a “mighty change of heart” and make us His sons and daughters.
