Ammon

There was a man in the scriptures named Ammon. 

Before the famous Ammon who slaughtered the sheep of the Lamanites, there was this Ammon.

He must have done something extraordinary that won him the attention of his King. 

When the people of the kingdom demanded a search party be sent to recover or discover what has come to be of their brothers who left many years previous, the King sought out this Ammon. 

Not only was Ammon appointed as a member of this search party, but he was asked to be the leader of it. (Were people asked back then? Or was he just commanded? Did he have a family by then? Did he have to say good bye to his wife and kids? Or was he able to take them with him? Or maybe just his oldest son?)

This search party went into uncharted land and, incredibly enough, into known hostile land. They knew the dangers. There were no “ambassadors” who could be sanctioned and given “free passage” without harm into any neighboring land. These men of the search party knew that if they were found out by the wrong people…which was highly likely at any point in their journey…they would, in a best case scenario, be tortured and put into slavery, and worst case, put to death. How many wives at home are praying for their safe return? How powerful are those prayers? How dedicated to living their lives right to merit the blessings of Heaven were those women? Are prayers answered? Then? As well as now?
This Ammon, along with 15 other “strong and mighty” men, followed through on their promise to do their best to seek out and bring their brothers back to the safety of the city if needed. How successful do you believe these men thought they would be? Try it: you’re asked, or told/commanded, to go find some old compatriots; no map or directions given except “we believe they went into the land of our enemies; don’t get eaten alive by wild animals or slaughtered by the enemy before you reach the right town. Good luck.” You have no means of transportation except your own two feet. No motel along the way. Anything you eat must be killed or picked along the way. (So, count on a lean diet during the whole exhausting trip). You have a special Family Night on the eve before your departure and try not to think that these words of advice to your wife and kids might be your last.

And why were they sent at this particular time? Why not at an earlier date or later on in time?

The answer is simple: God answers prayers. The people of Limhi had not prayed for deliverance before (or, perhaps they weren’t as sincere and earnest as they were right now)...they weren’t exactly upstanding citizens in the kingdom of God-which is what got them into the trouble they were in presently. And later on may have been too late for them.

Ammon and his fellow travelers arrive at the boarders of a land that they believe to be the right city. Maybe it held similar bearings to the one they came from. Somewhat like an immigrant from a foreign country holding onto a few markers of their former life. It was definitely within the boundary of their sworn enemies and yet, there was something different to this city than maybe the ones that they came across earlier in their trip. I imagine that they would have noticed, without doubt, the more humble and rugged dwellings and craftsmanship of the Lamanitish villages on their way to discover the people of Limhi. The Lamanites were known to be more lazy and idolatrous. They were hunters more than crop planters. They wore less clothing and lived more lawlessly (see a later Ammon’s story when the Lamanite King’s own people were plundering him).

Something about this new village that Ammon encountered had a different ring to it. He left most of the men at a safer distance, just in case they got caught and it was not a ‘friendly’ city they could escape, and took a few to get a closer look.

The person Ammon saw, outside the city gates, was the grandson of the man who first left their native city. Did he bear any resemblance? And wouldn’t Limhi recognize Ammon as not being a member of his mortal enemy’s tribe? Were there more Nephite people integrated with Lamanites that it caused Limhi to be uncertain of where Ammon’s loyalties lay?

Well, eventually, after a while in harsh conditions in prison, Ammon and his men were freed and allowed to speak to the King. A plan was set for Ammon to assist Limhi free his people. They were (barely) successful and ‘got them out’.

Once back under the protection of his homeland, Ammon probably related to the King all that had happened during his journey. His bravery and genius was noticed and, I believe acknowledged by giving him a whole land to occupy. Some people are given a medal of honor….Ammon was given a small village to rule: Ammonihah. The reason I believe this, is because later on we learn of a city called Ammonihah. As a rule, it clearly states in the scriptures, that the cities were named after their first inhabitant. So, either there was another great Ammon before him, or it was this very Ammon, who retrieved a whole city of people from a very precarious situation to the safe confines of Zarahemla and increased the population of their already great kingdom with some very grateful citizens.

Further, one of the sons of the King who sent Ammon on this mission, was named Ammon. Was it a very popular name? Or was the King so impressed with him, that after giving him a land to inherit, he also named his son after this great man. The people of that day enjoyed honoring people of great worth and would often give their seed the names of previous great men, as a Helaman did in Helaman 5:6 “Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.”

Now whether or not this Ammon received a land to inherit and had it named after him as well as the son of the King, it doesn’t much matter. But, at the same time, it wouldn’t be terribly difficult to fathom. Things like that happened among their people and customs.

Though, I wonder if Ammon was just mostly happy that he was able to return safely to his wife and children…regardless of the location of their ultimate reunion.