Alma 19
People in this chapter
For two days and two nights King Lamoni has lain as if dead, and his family is preparing to bury him. The queen sends for Ammon. Ammon knows what is really happening: the king is under the power of God, and the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul (v. 6). He tells the queen her husband sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again. With no witness but Ammon's word, she believes, and Ammon tells her there has been no greater faith among all the people of the Nephites (v. 10).
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Alma 19:1-11He Sleepeth in God
1And it came to pass that after two days and two nights they were about to take his body and lay it in a sepulchre, which they had made for the purpose of burying their dead. 2Now the queen having heard of the fame of Ammon, therefore she sent and desired that he should come in unto her. 3And it came to pass that Ammon did as he was commanded, and went in unto the queen, and desired to know what she would that he should do. 4And she said unto him: The servants of my husband have made it known unto me that thou art a prophet of a holy God, and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name; 5Therefore, if this is the case, I would that ye should go in and see my husband, for he has been laid upon his bed for the space of two days and two nights; and some say that he is not dead, but others say that he is dead and that he stinketh, and that he ought to be placed in the sepulchre; but as for myself, to me he doth not stink.
After two days, the family is about to bury Lamoni. The queen has heard Ammon is a prophet of a holy God, and she sends for him. Some say the king is dead, but she is not convinced.
6Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God— 7Therefore, what the queen desired of him was his only desire. Therefore, he went in to see the king according as the queen had desired him; and he saw the king, and he knew that he was not dead.
Ammon knows Lamoni is not dead. The dark veil of unbelief is being lifted from his mind, and the light of the glory of God is filling his soul with joy.
8And he said unto the queen: He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again; therefore bury him not. 9And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said. 10And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites. 11And it came to pass that she watched over the bed of her husband, from that time even until that time on the morrow which Ammon had appointed that he should rise.
Ammon tells the queen, He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again. The words sound like the Savior's own.
The queen has no proof, only Ammon's word, and she believes. Ammon says there has not been such great faith among all the Nephites.
Alma 19:12-15I Have Seen My Redeemer
12And it came to pass that he arose, according to the words of Ammon; and as he arose, he stretched forth his hand unto the woman, and said: Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou. 13For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit.
14Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according to his prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had been the cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all the people of God because of their iniquities and their traditions, he fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his brethren; and he was also overpowered with joy; and thus they all three had sunk to the earth. 15Now, when the servants of the king had seen that they had fallen, they also began to cry unto God, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them also, for it was they who had stood before the king and testified unto him concerning the great power of Ammon.
Seeing the Spirit poured out on the Lamanites, Ammon kneels to thank God and is himself overcome with joy. The servants also cry to God.
Alma 19:16-24Abish Ran Forth from House to House
16And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father— 17Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people.
Everyone falls except one Lamanite woman, Abish. She had been converted for years through her father's vision but had kept it to herself. Now she knows it is time, and she runs from house to house.
18And they began to assemble themselves together unto the house of the king. And there came a multitude, and to their astonishment, they beheld the king, and the queen, and their servants prostrate upon the earth, and they all lay there as though they were dead; and they also saw Ammon, and behold, he was a Nephite. 19And now the people began to murmur among themselves; some saying that it was a great evil that had come upon them, or upon the king and his house, because he had suffered that the Nephite should remain in the land. 20But others rebuked them, saying: The king hath brought this evil upon his house, because he slew his servants who had had their flocks scattered at the waters of Sebus. 21And they were also rebuked by those men who had stood at the waters of Sebus and scattered the flocks which belonged to the king, for they were angry with Ammon because of the number which he had slain of their brethren at the waters of Sebus, while defending the flocks of the king.
The crowd sees the king's household on the ground and a Nephite among them. They argue about whose fault it is.
22Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead. 23Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord. 24And it came to pass that when the multitude beheld that the man had fallen dead, who lifted the sword to slay Ammon, fear came upon them all, and they durst not put forth their hands to touch him or any of those who had fallen; and they began to marvel again among themselves what could be the cause of this great power, or what all these things could mean.
A man whose brother died at Sebus tries to kill Ammon as he lies on the ground, and falls dead himself. Mormon explains: the Lord had promised Mosiah to spare his son, according to Mosiah's faith.
Alma 19:25-30O Blessed Jesus
25And it came to pass that there were many among them who said that Ammon was the Great Spirit, and others said he was sent by the Great Spirit; 26But others rebuked them all, saying that he was a monster, who had been sent from the Nephites to torment them. 27And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by the Great Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their brethren, the Lamanites. 28And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the woman servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.
The crowd cannot agree who Ammon is: the Great Spirit, someone sent by the Great Spirit, or a monster. The argument grows sharp.
Abish returns and sees the contention. She is so sorrowful that she weeps.
29And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people! 30And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood; and when she had done this, she took the king, Lamoni, by the hand, and behold he arose and stood upon his feet.
Alma 19:31-36His Arm Is Extended to All People
31And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as heard his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord. 32But there were many among them who would not hear his words; therefore they went their way.
Lamoni rises and immediately begins teaching his people what Ammon taught him. Many believe. Many others walk away.
33And 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. 34And 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. 35And 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.
Ammon and the servants all testify of the same thing: their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil. Many are baptized, and a church is established.
36And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name.
Mormon sums up the lesson: the Lord's arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name, even a people once thought beyond reach.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- LamoniScripture references for King Lamoni and his conversion.
- Why Was Abish Mentioned by Name?Explores Abish's role in the conversion of Lamoni's household and a scholarly proposal about the meaning of her name.
- Born Again, Born of GodThe change of heart the converted Lamanites testified of in verse 33.
- RedeemerJesus Christ as the Redeemer whom Lamoni testified he had seen (v. 13).
Where this echoes in Scripture
He Sleepeth in God
- Matthew 9:24Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth.
- John 11:25-26I am the resurrection, and the life… Believest thou this?
- Matthew 8:10Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
- Mosiah 27:19-25I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.Alma's own experience of being overcome and rising changed.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts.
I Have Seen My Redeemer
- Galatians 4:4When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman.
- Mosiah 3:8He shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God… and his mother shall be called Mary.
- Job 19:25For I know that my redeemer liveth.
- Alma 7:10He shall be born of Mary… she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel.
Abish Ran Forth from House to House
- John 4:28-29The woman then left her waterpot… and saith to the men, Come, see a man.
- Mosiah 28:7I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.The promise Mormon points to in verse 23.
- Alma 17:35They knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands.
- Matthew 5:15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick.
O Blessed Jesus
- Alma 36:18-20O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me… And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold.
- Mark 5:41-42He took the damsel by the hand… And straightway the damsel arose, and walked.
- John 10:20-21He hath a devil, and is mad… Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?Another crowd divided over the power of God.
- 1 Corinthians 14:2He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God.
His Arm Is Extended to All People
- Mosiah 5:2Which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil.
- 3 Nephi 9:14Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.
- Alma 23:6As many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away.
- Acts 2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.