Jeffersonian Book of Ammon

The Book of Ammon

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

Traditionally composing of Alma 17

An account of the sons of King Mosiah the 2nd, who rejected their rights to the kingdom to teach morality went up to the land of Nephi to teach the Lamanites. Their sufferings and deliverance.

1 As Alma the Younger traveled from the Land of Gideon to the Land of Manti, he was surprised to meet the sons of King Mosiah the 2nd, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni, traveling towards the Land of Zarahemla.

2 These were the sons of King Mosiah the 2nd that were his friends when he turned away from immorality and committed to living a moral life.

3 Alma the Younger was very happy to see his friends, and was very happy to see them still living moral lives.

4 Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni knew the history and lessons taught by their ancestors and taught them to others to help them live moral lives.

5 Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni had been teaching morality to the Lamanites for the last 14 years, and were remarkably successful.

6 Many Lamanites had learned the history and lessons taught by their ancestors and committed to living moral lives.

7 Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni endured many mental and physical hardships. They were hungry, thirsty, and tired.

8 This is their story:

9 In the 1st year of the reign of the judges they all refused to accept the crown from their father King Mosiah the 2nd.

10 Instead, they took their swords, spears, bows and arrows, and slings.

11 They used their weapons to hunt for food.

12 They set out to go teach morality to the Lamanites in the Lamanite Kingdom.

13 As they traveled towards their destination, they talked amongst themselves about how they wanted to succeed in teaching morality and help the Lamanites turn away from immorality.

14 They felt as if they would accomplish their goal.

15 They knew it would be difficult, but they would endure it all because they wanted to be good examples of morality.

16 They were hopeful they would help many Lamanites.

17 When they came to the borders of the Lamanite Kingdom they split up to go teach in different places.

18 They were sad to see each other go, but they believed they would all be together again.

19 They knew that teaching the Lamanites was more important than the comfort of familiarity.

20 The Lamanites were a wild, stubborn, and immoral people.

21 They loved to kill and rob each other.

22 They loved riches like gold, silver, and precious stones and were willing to kill and steal to get them instead of working to get them.

23 That is why Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni wanted to teach morality to them; so they would turn away from their immorality.

24 Ammon was the oldest brother and was respected by his brothers.

25 Ammon talked to and comforted each of his brothers before they split up.

26 Ammon went to the Land of Ishmael, which was named by the sons of Ishmael who were Lamanites.

27 When he entered the land he was arrested and brought to the king of the land, which was standard procedure for all Nephites.

28 The king of the Land of Ishmael liked to kill or imprison any Nephites that came into his land himself.

29 The king was a descendant of Ishmael named King Lamoni

30 King Lamoni asked Ammon if he wanted to live in the Land of Ishmael.

31 Ammon said he did, perhaps even until his death.

32 King Lamoni was happy with Ammon's answer and released the bands from his hands.

33 He also asked Ammon if he wanted to marry one of his many daughters.

34 Ammon told him he came to the Lamanite Kingdom for no other reason than to be a servant.

35 King Lamoni granted this wish and made him a shepherd over his flocks which was standard for Nephite prisoners.

36 On the 3rd day of working as a shepherd, Ammon and King Lamoni's Lamanite slaves took the flocks to drink at the Waters of Sebus.

37 While at the waters some Lamanites spooked and scattered the flocks that Ammon was in charge of.

38 King Lamoni's slaves complained by saying

	39 "The king will kill us because we lost his flocks! He's done it to others in the past."

40 They cried and feared for their lives.

41 When Ammon saw this he sympathized with them. He said to them:

	42 "I will do everything I can to ensure that we find all of the flock. I want to help you and be your friend.

	43 My brothers, don't worry. Let's go find the flock and bring them back here to the Waters of Sebus.

	44 If we find all of the flock, the king will not hurt us."

45 They all went to find the flock with Ammon quickly leading them.

46 They successfully found all of the flock and brought them to the Waters of Sebus.

47 The Lamanites came again to scatter the flock, but Ammon said to King Lamoni's slaves:

	48 "Surround the flock so they won’t be able to be spooked and be scattered. I will go talk to those that keep scattering the flock."

49 There were many Lamanites who scattered the flocks, and they were not afraid of Ammon because they believed they could kill him.

50 The Lamanites loved to kill, and wanted to see the Lamanite slaves killed by the king.

51 Ammon defended himself and the slaves against their attacks by throwing stones at them with his sling.

52 Ammon was very skilled with his sling, and successfully repelled them, which surprised the Lamanites.

53 They became angry with Ammon because of him defending the king's flock he was in charge of and wanted to kill him personally.

54 None of them were a skilled with a sling and could not hit them.

55 The Lamanites approached Ammon with clubs to kill him.

56 Ammon ha a sword and was very skilled with it.

57 Whenever a Lamanite came to kill him, Ammon defended himself by chopping off their arms.

58 After many had lost their arms, the Lamanites were surprised and ran away from Ammon.

59 Ammon killed 6 Lamanites with his sling, killed 1 with his sword (the leader of these Lamanites), and chopped off many, many arms.

60 He did this because he was defending himself and the property of the king.

61 Ammon and King Lamoni's slaves finished having the flock drink from the Waters of Sebus, and then returned to the king's pasture.

62 The slaves told the king what Ammon had done to defend the flock and brought the arms that Ammon had chopped off as proof.

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

Traditionally composing of Alma 18

1 King Lamoni had all of his slaves that were there tell them their version of what happened.

2 King Lamoni learned that Ammon was a moral man who followed through with his promises.

3 He saw him as a powerful and strong man.

4 The slaves agreed, and said there was no enemy that could defeat him or scatter the flocks he attended.

5 They said that he was a friend to King Lamoni.

6 The king also knew that he would have killed the slaves if they had not recovered the flock, and that Ammon saved them by finding the flock and defending it.

7 The king knew that Ammon was a moral man.

8 He knew that this was the morality that was spoken of by their ancestors.

9 It was the tradition of the Lamanites to believe in morality, but it was deluded to the point where no one knew what morality was.

10 The Lamanites did whatever they wanted and called it morality.

11 King Lamoni began to realize the great immoralities he had committed by killing his slaves for losing flocks scattered by Lamanite plunderers in the past.

12 King Lamoni asked his slaves where Ammon was, and they said he was in the stables feeding the king's horses.

13 Before Ammon went to water the flock, the king had ordered his slaves to prepare his horses and chariots for him to travel to the Land of Nephi.

14 King Lamoni was traveling because there was a great feast in the Land of Nephi which was being thrown by his father, the King of the Lamanites.

15 He was surprised that Ammon was performing these duties so diligently and said:

	16 "I have never had such a good slave as this man. He remembers every order I give and fulfills it.

	17 I now know that he is a moral man.

	18 I want him to speak to me, but I am frightened."

19 When Ammon had finished getting the horses and chariots ready for the king, he went to the king and saw that the king was troubled, and so started to leave.

20 One of the king's slaves said:

	21 "moral one! The king wants you to stay."

22 Ammon approached the king and said:

	23 "What would you have me do, King Lamoni?"

24 King Lamoni, who was overwhelmed with the guilt of his immorality, didn't know what to say. He sat silently for an hour trying to find the words to say.

25 Ammon again asked:

	26 "What would you like me to do?"

27 The king again didn't answer.

28 Ammon remembered what the slaves had told him about the fate of slaves who lost flocks, and realized that the king was feeling guilt over his actions.

29 Ammon said to the king:

	30 "Is it because you heard that I defended your slaves and your flock by repelling the scattering and attacks of plundering Lamanites?

	31 Are you surprised I did this?

	32 You are my king and I am your slave. Whatever good thing you order me to do, I will do. I have tended your flocks as you have ordered.

33 The king was amazed that Ammon knew what he was thinking about.

34 King Lamoni finally opened his mouth and said

	35 "Who are you? How do you know my thoughts?

	36 You may speak boldly to me and tell me how you killed and chopped off the arms of the plundering Lamanites.

	37 If you tell me these things, I will give you whatever you want.

	38 If you need me to, I will protect you with all my armies, but I know you could protect yourself better than my army could."

36 Ammon harmlessly responded by asking:

	37 "Will you listen to the lessons I have to teach you? This is all I want."

38 King Lamoni said:

	39 "I will believe anything you have to teach me."

40 Ammon asked:

	41 "Do you believe there is morality?"

42 The king, puzzled, responded by saying:

	43 "I don't know what you mean..."

44 Ammon rephrased his question by asking:

	45 "Do you believe there is good and there is bad, and that you should choose that which is good?"

46 The king said he did.

47 Ammon explained that this is morality.

48 Ammon asked:

	49 "Do you believe that choosing to do the right thing helps everyone?"

50 The king said:

	51 "I believe that it helps everyone that I can see."

52 King Lamoni said:

	53 "I believe everything you have taught. However, are you more than a man?"

54 Ammon responded by saying:

	55 "I am nothing but a man. No different than you or our common ancestors.

	56 I simply live a moral life and teach others how to do the same.

	57 I teach the lessons of our ancestors as well as my own on morality."

58 Ammon taught all the lessons of their ancestors which had been handed down upon plates.

59 Ammon taught the king and his slaves the true history of Lehi and his family's journey to the land that they now live in.

60 He taught them the hardships that Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael inflicted on the family, as well as their rebellious nature.

61 He taught them of King Mosiah the 1st, King Benjamin, King Mosiah the 2nd, and King Limhi.

62 He taught them everything that he knew of morality.

63 He taught them about working together and about love.

64 After Ammon had finished his lesson, King Lamoni believed every word.

65 King Lamoni was overwhelmed and through tears said:

	66 "I regret all the immoral things I have done! I fear that I will leave a very immoral legacy behind for me and my people!"

67 King Lamoni was so worked up that he fell to the ground and seemed like he was dead.

68 His slaves carried him to his wife and laid him on his bed.

69 For 2 days and 2 nights he seemed like he was dead.

70 King Lamoni's wife and children began to mourn the loss of their father.

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

Traditionally composing of Alma 19

1 After 2 days and 2 nights they were about to lay King Lamoni in a tomb.

2 The queen had heard about Ammon and requested to talk to him.

3 Ammon did as was commanded of him and went to the queen to find out what she wanted him to do.

4 The queen said to Ammon:

	5 "My husband's slaves have told me that you are a man of true morality and know how to help people.

	6 Some say that my husband is dead because he stinks, and should be put in a tomb.

	7 I do not think he is dead or stinks.

	8 Is there anything you can do for my husband?"

9 Ammon believed King Lamoni was catatonic because of the guilt he was feeling.

10 Ammon knew he was starting to understand the consequences of the immoral life he had lived.

11 King Lamoni, now knowing morality, wished to live a moral life, which is a marvelous life.

12 Ammon knew that King Lamoni just needed time to come to terms with this life change.

13 Ammon went to see the king as the queen asked him to do.

14 When Ammon saw the queen, he knew he was not dead.

15 Ammon said to the queen:

	16 "He is not dead but is sleeping. He should wake up soon. Do not place him in a tomb.

	Do you believe me?"

17 The queen responded by saying:

	18 "I have no reason to believe you other than the words of others, but I do believe you."

19 Ammon said:

	20 "Thank you for believing me. Many of my own people would not have believed me."

21 The queen stayed with her husband from that time on believing he would wake up soon.

22 The next morning King Lamoni woke up and grabbed his wife by the hand and said:

	23 "We are lucky to be able to live moral lives, and I am lucky to have you.

	24 I have resolved to no longer live an immoral life as is the standard for Lamanites, but instead live a moral life."

25 The king was overwhelmed with a sense of love and joy, and laid back down.

26 The queen laid with her husband as well.

27 When Ammon saw that the Lamanites were finally beginning to live moral lives, he fell to his knees and shed tears of joy.

28 The slaves were also overwhelmed with this sense of peace, love, and joy.

29 They all promised to live good, honorable, and moral lives.

30 Everyone except a Lamanite woman whose name was Abish.

31 Abish was raised by a moral Lamanite and had promised from the time she was very young to live a moral life.

32 When Abish saw that the king, queen, and their slaves were overwhelmed with this sense of friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, she knew they would live moral lives.

33 Abish ran through the town telling people about what had happened in the palace.

34 Many people rushed to the palace to find out what had happened for themselves.

35 They saw the king, queen, their slaves, and Ammon laying on the ground and thought they were dead.

36 They also realized that Ammon was a Nephite.

37 They believed that Ammon had killed them all and then himself.

38 Others believed that the king had killed them because of the immoral life he had lived had caught up to him.

39 The plundering Lamanites who were present at the Waters of Sebus disproved both of these theories, and wanted to kill Ammon.

40 One of these Lamanites was the brother of the leader of the plundering Lamanites, and was especially angry with Ammon.

41 He drew his sword to kill Ammon, but he stopped.

42 He wanted to hear what Ammon had to say before he killed them.

43 The crowd that had gathered became even more curious that even someone who wanted to kill Ammon now wanted to hear his lessons.

44 They wanted to know what was so important to make these people fall to the ground like this.

45 Some said that Ammon was a monster sent by the Nephites to kill them.

46 Some said that Ammon was a mischievous man who wanted to cause trouble.

47 Some believed he was an immoral man who wanted to lead them all astray.

48 While they were coming up with theories, Abish returned to the palace.

49 She was sad that the crowd was fighting with one another instead of working together.

50 She took the queen by the hand to help her up, and when the queen stood she declared:

	51 "This man is a teacher that has saved me from living an immoral life!

	52 Listen to him!"

53 as she spoke she clapped her hands.

54 She was still so overwhelmed with emotion that it was hard to understand her.

55 She grabbed King Lamoni by the hand and helped him up as well.

56 When the king saw his people fighting he chastised them and taught them the lessons that Ammon had taught him.

57 Many people believed their king and also promised to live moral lives.

58 However, there were also many who did not want to listen to the lessons of morality and left.

59 When Ammon had collected himself, he stood and also taught lessons of morality.

60 The slaves who were present for the lessons of morality also taught these lessons to others.

61 They all said that their hearts had been changed and that they had no more desire to live an immoral life.

62 They became a good, honorable, and moral people, and an Almakite community was established.

63 This was the beginning of morality among the Lamanites.

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

Traditionally composing of Alma 20

1 After the Almakite community had been established, King Lamoni wanted Ammon to come with him to the Land of Nephi to teach his father, the King of the Lamanites, at the feast he was throwing.

2 Ammon didn't think it was a good idea to teach the king of the Lamanites quite yet, and asked if he could go to the Land of Middoni instead where his brother Aaron was.

3 King Lamoni said:

	4 "I believe you would be fine speaking to my father.

	5 However, if you want to go to the Land of Middoni I will come with you.

	6 King Antiomno of Middoni is my friend."

7 King Lamoni had his servants prepare his horses and chariots.

8 As King Lamoni and Ammon were traveling towards the Land of Middoni, they met Lamoni's father, the king of the Lamanites.

9 King Lamoni's father asked him:

	10 "Why did you not come to the feast that I threw for my sons and my people?

	11 Why are you traveling with a lying Nephite?"

12 King Lamoni was scared when explained that they were going to the Land of Middoni to meet Ammon's brother.

13 He explained everything that had happened in his kingdom which prevented him from coming to the feast.

14 When King Lamoni had told his father all these things, he was surprised to find that his father was angry with him.

15 The Lamanite king said:

	16 "Are you going to help these lying Nephites?

	17 They robbed our ancestors and now they come among us to lie to and deceive us so they can rob us again."

18 The Lamanite king ordered King Lamoni to kill Ammon himself, not go to the Land of Middoni, and return to the Land of Ishmael.

19 King Lamoni said:

	20 "I will not kill Ammon or return to the Land of Ishmael.

	21 I am going to the Land of Middoni so that Ammon can be reunited with his brother.

	22 I know that they are moral men and good teachers."

23 The Lamanite king was so angry with his son that he drew his sword to kill him.

24 Ammon stood and said:

	25 "You will not kill your son!

	26 He has turned away from his immoral life and is living a moral life, unlike you.

	27 The legacy you would leave for killing your own moral son would be a terrible one."

28 The Lamanite king said:

	29 "If I kill him I know I am killing an innocent man.

	30 However, it is you that is responsible for killing him."

31 The Lamanite king then tried to kill Ammon.

32 Ammon was able to dodge the attacks of the Lamanite king and hit his arm so that he couldn't use it.

33 The Lamanite king saw that he was at the mercy of Ammon, and that Ammon could kill him.

34 He begged Ammon to spare his life.

35 Ammon, who had no intention of harming the king, said to him:

	36 "Then you will let us go to the Land of Middoni."

37 The Lamanite king was so afraid for his life that he said:

	38 "I will give you anything you want!

	39 I'd even give you half of my kingdom!"

40 Ammon said to the king:

	41 "Let me see my brother, let Lamoni keep his kingdom, and let Lamoni do whatever he wants in his kingdom.

	42 If you do this, I will spare your life."

43 The King of the Lamanites was relieved at these simple terms.

44 He was surprised by how much he cared for his son, Lamoni, and said to him:

	45 "Because this is all you have asked for, I will give you what you want.

	46 When you are reunited with your brother, I would like you to come visit me in my kingdom.

	47 I want to hear what you have to teach."

48 Ammon and King Lamoni traveled to the Land of Middoni.

49 When they arrived, King Antiomno of Middoni was happy to see his friend.

50 Ammon's brother Aaron and Aaron's moral friends Muloki and Ammah had been thrown in prison, but King Lamoni convinced King Antiomno to release them.

51 They had been tied with strong cords and their skin was raw and they were naked in prison.

52 They had also endured hunger, thirst, and many other hardships.

52 Ammon was very sad about how his brothers had been treated.

53 Despite their hardships, they were patient.

54 It just happened to be that where Aaron had traveled the people had been more immoral and stubborn than those that Ammon had met.

55 They would not listen to the teachings of morality, exiled them, and beat them until they arrived in the Land of Middoni.

56 They had stayed there until Lamoni and Ammon had helped free them.