Jeffersonian Book of the Ammonites

--------------------Chapter 1--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 24

1 The Amalekites, Amulonites, and other Lamanites were in the lands of Amulon, Helam, and The Great City.

2 They hated the Ammonites and rebelled against their king by taking up arms against him.

3 The king was old, and decided that he was unfit to rule in a time of war.

4 He gave the Kingdom of the Ammonites to his son. He also told his son that he should be called Anti-Nephi-Lehi, to symbolize the change of heart of both him and their people.

5 King Anti-Nephi-Lehi was king over all the lands except Ishmael, which was now independent. Anti-Nephi-Lehi was King Lamoni's brother.

5 The King ended up dying soon after, while the new king Anti-Nephi-Lehi prepared for war.

6 When Ammon and his traveling companions saw that the Lamanites were preparing for war, they went to the land of Midian to see their brothers.

7 They then traveled to the land of Ishmael to meet with King Lamoni and King Anti-Nephi-Lehi on how to defend themselves.

8 The Ammonites had resolved to live a peaceful, pacifist life. They had forsaken their weapons of war and were unwilling to use them again.

9 Even if their kings commanded them to, they would not touch them.

10 These are the words that Anti-Nephi-Lehi spoke to his people:

	11 "My beloved brothers and sisters, I am so thankful that the Nephites have come and taught us the error of our ways.

	12 I am thankful that we have turned away from immorality and now live moral lives.

	13 I am thankful that we have another chance at life, and have learned to forgive and be forgiven.

	14 We must accept the reality that we may not be forgiven by the people that we have hurt, but we must try.

	15 Many of us have resolved to never raise our swords and dirty them with blood again.

	16 We do not want to break the promise that we made to ourselves to never harm another.

	17 We would be remembered unfavorably if we did not keep a promise that was central to who we are.

	18 We love our children, and we must set an example of keeping promises to them.

	19 We may be tempted to use our weapons, so I propose that we bury them, so we are not tempted.

	20 Even if the Lamanites come to kill us, we will not find our hidden weapons."

21 When King Anti-Nephi-Lehi said this, the people gathered together and threw their swords and weapons that they had immorally used and buried them in the ground.

22 They did this to honor their promise to never hurt another again.

23 They would rather be slaves or die than kill again and break their promises.

24 They buried their weapons of war for peace.

25 They ensured they were a moral people.

26 The Lamanites prepared for war and came to the land of Nephi to kill King Anti-Nephi-Lehi and the Ammonites and install their own king.

27 When the Ammonites saw the Lamanites coming to wage war, they went to them and begged them to have mercy.

28 The Lamanites had none and killed all that asked for mercy.

29 Because there was no resistance, the Lamanites killed 1,005 Ammonites who resolved to live moral lives.

30 When the Lamanites saw that the Ammonites would rather die than fight, they stopped killing them.

31 Thousands of Lamanites realized what they had done and turned away from their immoral lifestyle.

32 These Lamanites also threw down their weapons of war and would not touch them. They felt the sting of their immoral murders they had committed.

33 There were 4 chief types of Lamanites: Ammonites, Lamanites, Amalekites, Amulonites, and Nehorites.

34 The Nehorites were the most bloodthirsty.

35 The Ammonites were all the descendants of Laman and Lemuel.

36 The Amalekites, Amulonites, and Nehorites were all descendants of Nephi and had known morality and turned away from it.

37 When they fell into immorality, they became very immoral. Worse than the other Lamanites, which they were now counted among.

38 Even if a people were moral once, that does not mean they will be moral forever.

39 It is worse when a people knew right from wrong and turned away from the right thing.

40 However, it is good when people weren't taught right from wrong, and when they learn it, choose the right.

--------------------Chapter 2--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 25

1 The Lamanites became angry that they had killed other Lamanites. Those that had not resolved to give up their weapons of war instead turned their hatred and war from the Ammonites towards the Nephites.

2 They sailed to the land of Jacob and marched all the way to the land of Ammonihah and killed everyone in their path.

3 A war erupted between the Nephites and the Lamanites.

4 Many Nephites were driven out of their land and homes and killed, but the Nephites prevailed.

5 Most of the Lamanites that were killed in the Republic of Zarahemla were chiefly Amulonites.

6 The remaining Lamanites fled into the Wilderness of Hermounts, where the Nephites pursued and conquered them.

7 There were many Lamanites who saw the suffering that their immorality had brought them while they were in the Wilderness of Hermounts, and resolved to turn away from it as they had heard Aaron and his brothers teach and help the Nephites.

8 The When the Amulonite leaders found those that had resolved to live moral lives in the Wilderness of Hermounts, they executed them.

9 This only angered the other Lamanites even more, and a civil war broke out among the Lamanites in the Wilderness of Hermounts.

10 The immorality that had once killed Abinadi was finally catching up to the Amulonites, just as Abinadi had predicted.

11 The Lamanites hunted the Amulonites and threw them into fires for their crimes.

12 When the Lamanites saw that they could not overpower the Nephites, they returned to their own land south of the narrow stretch of wilderness.

13 Those that resolved to live moral lives found refuge in the lands of Ishmael and Nephi, and joined the Ammonites.

14 They also buried their weapons of war as their brothers and sisters had, and began their lives of morality.

15 The Sons of King Mosiah the 2nd, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni, and the friends they had met along the way, were very happy that they successfully taught morality to the Lamanites who were now called Ammonites who lived moral lives.

--------------------Chapter 3--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 26

1 Ammon spoke to his brothers and friends, saying:

	2 "My brothers and friends, we have a great reason to be happy!

	3 Did you ever think that when we left the Republic of Zarahemla that this would happen?

	4 Our brothers, the Lamanites, were an immoral people. They lived in darkness.

	5 We have helped them live moral lives and see the light of life.

	6 If we hadn't helped the Lamanites, who have so dearly loved us, they would still hate us and be an immoral people.

	7 Luckily, they were ready to hear what we had to say.

	8 We were like farmers who reaped a white field.

	9 We are very fortunate to help the Lamanites do this.

	10 Helping these thousands of people makes me want to sing with joy!"

11 When Ammon said this, his brother Aaron asked:

	12 "Ammon, are you boasting?"

13 Ammon replied by saying:

	14 "I do not boast in my own strength or in my own wisdom.

	15 My heart is full and brimming with joy because of the thing WE have accomplished.

	16 I know that I could not have done this alone. Alone, I am weak, so I will not boast of myself.

	17 We worked together as a team to do what we previously thought was impossible.

	18 The Lamanites were encircled with perpetual darkness and destruction.

	19 Together we helped them see the light of life that morality brings.

	20 The Lamanites were chained by the pains of immorality.

	21 together we helped thousands break those chains and live a life full of love.

	22 Isn't that something to be happy and excited about?

	23 We ourselves know what a life of immorality is like.

	24 We sought to destroy the Almakites and undo our father's work.

	25 We might have succeeded if that earthquake had not nearly scared Alma the Younger to death.

	26 If it hadn't, he might never have turned to a life of morality, and taught us the error of our own ways.

	27 I am so thankful that things happened as they did.

	28 We have been able to help thousands of others in the way that Alma the Younger helped us.

	29 Remember who our friends laughed at us when we left the Republic of Zarahemla to live among the Lamanites?

	30 They thought it was impossible for a Lamanite to live a moral life.

	31 They thought the Lamanites were and always would be too stubborn, blood thirsty, and lazy to listen to the words of morality and the teachings of our ancestors.

	32 Many believed that they would only hear the words of morality if we conquered them through war.

	33 They said that if we didn't, they would.

	34 We came to the Lamanites not with the intent to destroy them, but help them grow.

	35 There were many times when we thought it was impossible, but we persevered.

	36 We were patient and endured our suffering.

	37 We traveled and taught morality in homes, rameumptoms, streets, and hills to any who would listen.

	38 We relied on those that wanted to live moral lives to take care of us.

	39 We were exiled, mocked, spit on, beaten assaulted, arrested, and thrown into prison.

	40 I would do it all again if it meant I helped even one person.

	41 Isn't it great how many thousands of people we ended up helping though?

	42 Isn't it admirable how moral of lives they live now?

	43 They refused to harm another to such a degree that they would rather die than harm another.

	44 They buried their weapons so they could never kill again because of the love they have in them.

	45 Have you ever seen such love?

	46 I haven't even seen this among the Nephites.

	47 The Nephites were talking about pre-emptive strikes against the Lamanites.

	48 Luckily, the Nephites had enough love to protect the Ammonites when they were attacked.

	49 It was admirable to defend those who they once hated after they had a change of heart.

	50 We have helped all these thousands of people live moral lives.

	51 There was never anyone that had such a great reason to rejoice than us since the world began.

	52 I am happy because of how many people we have helped.

	53 If this is boasting, then I will continue to boast, because helping others is my life, light, and joy. It is the legacy I want to leave behind."

--------------------Chapter 4--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 27

1 The Lamanites who had gone to war against the Nephites experienced many struggles in their quest to destroy them.

2 They suffered so much that they eventually saw that it was in vain, and returned to their homes.

3 The Amalekites in particular were very angry because of this loss.

4 They desperately wanted revenge from the Nephites.

5 They rallied the Ammonites to go to war with them against the Nephites.

6 The Ammonites again refused to take up arms against anyone, and were killed by the Amalekites for it.

7 When Ammon saw the people he loved so dearly being killed, he asked King Anti-Nephi-Lehi:

	8 "Why don't we gather our people together and trek to the Republic of Zarahemla where the Nephites will accept and protect us from our enemies who seek our lives?"

9 King Anti-Nephi-Lehi replied by saying:

	10 "I am worried the Nephites will kill us because of how many murders and crimes we have committed against them."

11 Ammon said:

	12 "I will meditate on what would be the best thing to do.

	13 If I think it would be best to flee to the Nephites, would you trust me?"

14 King Anti-Nephi-Lehi replied by saying:

	15 "If you still think it’s the best thing for us after meditating on the matter, we will go.

	16 We would even be willing to be their slaves to repair the damage we have caused."

17 Ammon said:

	18 "It is against our laws to have slaves, and we would not make exceptions for you."

19 Ammon went and meditated on the matter, and he believed that the Amalekites would not stop until they had all the Lamanites massacring the Ammonites.

20 He believed the only way to save the Ammonites' lives was to seek refuge in the Republic of Zarahemla.

21 Ammon told King Anti-Nephi-Lehi his epiphanies he had during meditation.

22 King Anti-Nephi-Lehi trusted Ammon, and gathered all the Ammonites and their flocks and herds, and had them depart out of the land.

23 They crossed over the wilderness which divided the Kingdom of the Lamanites from the Republic of Zarahemla.

24 Ammon said to the refugees:

	25 "Let me and my brothers go talk with my friends in the Land of Zarahemla.

	26 I will see if they will accept you into their land or not.

	27 Wait for me here until I return."

28 The sons of King Mosiah the 2nd went and met Alma the Younger in the Land of Zarahemla, and they were so glad to see one another.

29 Ammon was so overwhelmed with joy when he saw his old friend that he fell.

30 While Aaron, Omner, and Himni were also excited, they were not overwhelmed to the point of losing their strength to stand.

31 Alma the Younger escorted them around the City of Zarahemla, and had them stay in his home.

32 He also brought them to the chief judge so that the Sons of King Mosiah the 2nd could tell the story of everything that had happened among the Lamanites.

33 The chief judge issued a proclamation throughout the republic asking for people to voice their opinion on whether they should admit the Ammonites into their land or not.

34 The voice of the people came, and they said:

	36 "We will give the Land of Jershon as the inheritance for our brothers and sisters.

	37 We will station our armies in the Land of Jershon so protect them from invading Lamanites.

	38 We want to help the Ammonites honor their commitment never to take up arms again.

	39 We will do this if they give up a portion of what they own to help maintain our armies."

40 When Ammon was told this, he returned with Alma the Younger to the Ammonites in the wilderness where they had pitched their tents and told them this wonderful news.

41 They went down into the Land of Jershon and set up their towns.

42 The Ammonites were now fully counted as Nephites.

43 They were distinguished from other Nephites in their zealous desire to live moral lives.

44 They always wanted to help others, be honest, and deplored all forms of violence.

45 They did not fear death, because they knew they lived in a way that would leave behind a great legacy.

46 They were willing to die a terrible death if it meant they never had to kill another.

47 They were a zealous and beloved people, and highly favored by the other Nephites.

--------------------Chapter 5--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 28

1 After the Ammonites were established in the Land of Jershon, the armies of the Nephites were stationed there.

2 The armies of the Lamanites followed the Ammonites into the wilderness and into their land.

3 A tremendous battle took place between the Lamanites and the Nephites. The biggest battle both nations had ever seen.

4 More than 20,000 Lamanites alone were killed in the battle. Many Nephites were slaughtered as well.

5 Luckily, the Lamanites were driven back into their own land.

6 Then a period of great mourning and lamentation was felt by all the Nephites.

7 Spouses mourned for their lost spouses.

8 Parents mourned for their lost children.

9 Siblings mourned for their lost siblings.

10 Children mourned for their lost parents.

11 This was a solemn, sorrowful day.

12 This is the account of the Sons of King Mosiah the 2nd, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni, and their friends in the Kingdom of the Lamanites.

13 They suffered many sorrows, hardships, but also found incomprehensible joy

14 They and their people found safety in the Land of Jershon.

15 Their journey took 15 years, and saw the deaths of thousands of innocent lives.

16 They mourned with the thousands of survivors.

17 Despite the senseless deaths of loved ones, they were all thankful that they were now safe and able to live happy, moral lives.

18 Thus ended the 15th year of the reign of judges.

--------------------Chapter 6--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 29

1 Oh, what a dream it would be to have my wishes granted.

2 I could shake the earth with my voice and have people live moral lives.

3 I would declare to everyone with a voice of thunder to turn away from immorality.

4 There would be no more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

5 I am just a man, though. My wish is just a wish, and I should be content with reality as it is.

6 I know that people will get what they put into this life.

7 Good and bad things happen in life to everyone.

8 Life is easier when you accept that both will happen.

9 I know this, so why do I want reality to be other than it is?

10 I want to help others with all the power that I possess.

11 I am thankful that my ancestors helped each other in every way they could.

12 It is what helped them escape slavery.

13 I am thankful that I, Ammon, have been able to help so many people in my own day.

14 I could not have done it without the help of my brothers and friends.

15 I am happy that we have brothers helped these people find morality together.

16 I get choked up when I think of all we have done.

17 I know that we will be remembered for the good deeds we did in our lives.