My study of Alma 17–19 this morning felt scattered, but maybe that’s because there is so much here about seeing—seeing with the Spirit, seeing Christ, and seeing others as they are seen by God, aka mercy.
In Alma 18, Ammon is described as having the Spirit so fully that he could perceive King Lamoni’s thoughts. That alone teaches me something about discipleship. But what stops me in my tracks is the queen. She believed Ammon’s words before she saw anything at all. She simply said she believed what he taught her, and Ammon told her she was blessed because of her exceeding faith. She had no proof yet—only trust. That kind of faith humbles me.
Lamoni’s conversion is astonishing. This was not a gentle king. His people feared him. He had killed his own servants over the scattering of his flocks. And yet, after being overcome by the Spirit, he declared that he had seen his Redeemer—Jesus Christ. I find myself asking why Lamoni was so blessed. What changed for him? He was taught that Christ would come and He would redeem all mankind. Lamoni himself was included in that redemption. Somehow, that truth broke through everything else.
When Ammon heard Lamoni testify, he was “overpowered with joy” and fell to the earth. Alma later explains that he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhaustion of his strength. I understand that kind of joy. The day after I truly began reading the Book of Mormon to learn—not just to check a box—I was filled so completely that I wrapped my arms around myself, bent over, and simply stayed there, savoring it. The setting was odd, but the feeling was sacred. That joy has stayed with me as a beautiful memory.
And then there is Abish—quiet, faithful Abish. She had eyes to see that what was happening was the power of God. She didn’t keep it to herself. Filled with hope, she ran to gather the people so they could witness it too. But when they came, they saw something very different: a king, a queen, servants, and a Nephite all lying motionless. To them, it looked like evil, and Ammon became the villain.
One verse in this story will always fascinate me: the enemy of the king had mingled among the people. Wolves among sheep. It’s a warning I need. We don’t cast people out, but we must be mindful. It still happens today—even within families—when unbelief quietly tries to pull faith down to its own level.
Mosiah’s love for his sons weaves through this story as well. He feared for their lives among the Lamanites, and the Lord promised they would be protected. That promise is fulfilled when one of the very men involved in scattering the flocks tries to kill Ammon while he lies defenseless—and the man falls dead. Ammon could not be slain. The Lord keeps His word.
I also give credit to the multitude. They wondered. Some thought Ammon was the Great Spirit. Others believed he was a monster. Some thought he had been sent by God. They were confused, but they were engaged, wrestling with what they were witnessing.
Abish returned to find the crowd in contention and prayed that God would have mercy on this people—all of them. Both sides. Believers and unbelievers alike. That prayer teaches me more than I want sometimes. We are all in different places on this mortal journey. We move at different speeds. We carry different wounds and influences. Mercy and compassion are not optional; they are required.
After her prayer, Abish touched the king’s hand, and he arose. He rebuked the contention and taught the people using the words Ammon had taught him. Some believed and were converted. Others refused to hear and went their way. That part always makes me ache. They witnessed a miracle and still turned away. But those who stayed testified that their hearts had changed and they had no more desire to do evil. Many were baptized. What joy that must have been.
The chapter ends with a promise that feels like an invitation: all who will repent and believe will have His Spirit with them. That, I think, is what all of this is pointing toward—learning to see with the Spirit, choosing belief, and extending mercy as we wait for hearts (including our own) to be changed.
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