< ALMA 17 >
The Ammon approach to missionary work
This is where he starts (the people had the following traits):
Alma 17:14 – Wild, Hard Hearted, Delights in murdering Nephites, Worships Idols
This is where he ends up, with a golden investigator asking to be taught:
Alma 18:20 – Thou mayest speak boldly – the golden investigator – Ammon teaches him, he’s overwhelmed by the Spirit.
What do you notice? How did we get to the point where Lamoni wants to hear the Gospel (wants Ammon to speak boldly), from a murderous and ferocious people. Ammon was able to soften his heart.
Let’s see how we got from point A to point B
1) Prepare yourself first!
Alma 17:2-13 - If we wish to prepare others, we must first prepare ourselves - Prepare yourself first!
What do they do to prepare themselves to be missionaries?
v. 2 – search the scriptures diligently (you can’t sure something you don’t have) – D&C 11:21 – first seek to obtain my word before declaring my word
v.3 – prayer and fasting – what should we pray and fast for? A stronger testimony, opportunities to share,
v. 5 – they suffered many afflictions, physical and spiritual – much labor in the spirit – we have to realize that there are going to be difficult and hard times. It can be really hard when people seem interested and then change their minds. It’s really tough. Nothing worthwhile in life ever comes easy.
v.6 – they sacrificed – comforts of home, money, scholarships for full-time missionaries, as members: comfort, time, possibility of rejection, ridicule, it requires sacrifice.
v.9 – They learned to rely on the Spirit – preaching the Gospel is an individual approach
v.12 – They took courage – it requires boldness and courage – it’s hard to do.
v. 13 – catch the vision – the salvation at souls is at stake! This is the most important work we can do (D&C section 4 – a marvelous work and a wonder)
What blessings does God give them for their efforts:
v. 2 – rejoice exceedingly, have sound understanding
v.3 – had the spirt of prophecy, spirit of revelation, teach with power and authority of God
v.4 – have much success
v. 9 - instruments in God’s hand
v. 10 – visited by the Spirit, comfort us in our afflictions.
2) Be patient, Show a good example
Alma 17:11 – Be patient in longsuffering and afflictions / show forth good examples unto them – usually conversion is not an overnight process, don’t become impatient when people don’t immediately latch on to the message, you can’t expect it to happen on your timetable. We’re asking people to change their lives, let go of traditions, deeply held beliefs, they’re reputations, maybe even their family religion and friends.
Our examples are so important. The best proof of the truthfulness of the restored church are the lives of its people. The example of a devoted member simply living their faith. Living the Gospel is doing missionary work. In this case, Ammon patiently serves in the king’s fields, defending the flocks, and waits for the right moment to share his message. His perseverance in fulfilling his duties helps create opportunities for teaching (Alma 17:29-39).
3) Serve them humbly
Alma 17:25 – Ammon begins his mission to the Lamanites by offering to be a servant to King Lamoni. His willingness to serve and his humble attitude help him gain the trust and respect of the Lamanites He doesn’t immediately start preaching and calling people to repentance. I’m here to dwell among you and serve you. Ammon is in it for the long haul too, whether they accept or not is the deciding factor, he is there to serve them. Serve them, not to convert them, but because you love them not because you are expecting something from them. Has Ammon said anything about religion yet? Nope, hasn’t come up.
4) Look for chances to win their hearts
Alma 17:29 – when it hits the fan, be there to help, look for opportunities to serve. 1 Peter 3:15 – and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Be ready to serve when others are in need.
5) Love them as your brother
Alma 17:30 – Term them to be their brethren – we don’t do missionary work because of duty, our own glory, but because these are our equals, our brethren. If we want to win hearts there has to be a sense of sisterhood or brotherhood. When we recognize that they are our brothers and sisters, we will teach them with love and compassion. Ammon shows genuine love and compassion for those he teaches. His sincere concern for their well-being and salvation helps to soften hearts and open minds to his message (Alma 20:26-27). (John 13:34-35) – How will people know we are true disciples of Jesus? If we love them as He has loved us.
6) Be a friend, a faithful friend
Alma 18:3,18:10 - – the most faithful, is this something that could be said of your life? My LDS employee is the hardest working and most dedicated, my LDS acquaintance is the most honest – has Ammon said anything about religion yet? No, and King Lamoni has a desire to ask Ammon about his religion, but he just doesn’t know what to ask him (v. 11, v. 14). Ammon is there first because of he is a friend to the King.
7) Rely on the Spirit
Alma 18:16-17 - Ammon is guided by the Spirit throughout his missionary efforts. He relies on divine inspiration to know when and how to act, trusting that the Spirit will lead him in his efforts. The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts that God has given His children. It is imperative to have and use this gift as we share the Gospel.
8) Open your mouth and be bold
Alma 18:16 – Ammon ends the silence, because he was filled with the Spirit – this is when we invite them to church activities, when we talk about what we are doing, we explain the reason why we don’t drink coffee or alcohol, we share a scripture, we tell them about Gospel truths when it is difficult. When given the opportunity, Ammon boldly shares his testimony and the gospel message. He teaches King Lamoni about God, repentance, and the plan of salvation with confidence and clarity (Alma 18:24-39).
9) Have faith in God’s Power
Alma 19:22-23
Really, the mere fact that Ammon goes to preach to the Lamanites is a demonstration of his faith in God. He trusts in God’s ability to protect and guide him in such dangerous circumstances. Ammon demonstrates strong faith in God's power to convert and change hearts. He trusts that God will work miracles and provide the means for conversion through His divine power
v. 2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
Sound Understanding:
To be a men of a sound understanding means their minds were disciplined, humble, and aligned with God - capable of discerning truth clearly because their hearts were converted.
Sound Understanding:
To be a men of a sound understanding means their minds were disciplined, humble, and aligned with God - capable of discerning truth clearly because their hearts were converted.
v. 3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.
Knowledge isn't enough
It wasn't enough to have a knowledge of the scriptures. You have to add in prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting gives orientation, they help align our will, quiet our ego, and reorder our desire. As we have seen: knowledge without prayer and fasting --> Nehor or Zeezrom. You need to check pride at the door and prayer and fasting help to do that.
Scripture study enlightens the mind, but prayer and fasting enlighten the soul. Only together can they create a man of sound understanding
Knowledge isn't enough
It wasn't enough to have a knowledge of the scriptures. You have to add in prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting gives orientation, they help align our will, quiet our ego, and reorder our desire. As we have seen: knowledge without prayer and fasting --> Nehor or Zeezrom. You need to check pride at the door and prayer and fasting help to do that.
Scripture study enlightens the mind, but prayer and fasting enlighten the soul. Only together can they create a man of sound understanding
v. 8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.
Let's go up
The land of Nephi is consistently described as higher
“Up” and “down” do not correlate reliably with north/south
In the Book of Mormon:
This matches ancient Near Eastern usage
In Hebrew-influenced texts:
Let's go up
The land of Nephi is consistently described as higher
- The land of Nephi is mountainous
- The land of Zarahemla is lower, with major rivers
- Travel from Zarahemla to Nephi is always described as up
- Travel from Nephi to Zarahemla is always down
“Up” and “down” do not correlate reliably with north/south
In the Book of Mormon:
- People go “up” to Nephi (generally south)
- People go “down” to Zarahemla (generally north)
- highlands → lowlands
- headwaters → river valleys
This matches ancient Near Eastern usage
In Hebrew-influenced texts:
- “up” often means toward high ground
- Jerusalem is always “up to,” regardless of compass direction
- You always “go up to Jerusalem,” even if you’re traveling south