Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/74

Ammon. own imprisoned brethren. The king, unused to such generosity and manly love, granted all his requests, and when he proceeded on his journey his mind was filled with reflections regarding Ammon's courage and great love for his son. He was also troubled in his heart concerning certain expressions of Ammon on doctrinal points, which opened up ideas that were entirely new to his mind.

Lamoni and Ammon continued their journey to Middoni, where, by God's grace, they found favor in the eyes of king Antiomno, and by his command the missionaries were released from the horrors of their prison house.

After his release Aaron, with others, visited the old king. Their visit ended in his conversion, and the issuance of a royal proclamation granting full religious liberty to all dwelling within the borders of his dominions. This was followed by a rebellion of the unconverted Lamanites, egged on by Nephite apostates, resulting in two series of massacres of the Christian Lamanites, who unresistingly fell victims to the rage and hate of their unrepentant fellow countrymen. During this period the old king died and he was succeeded by his son Anti-Nephi-Lehi as ruler of the Christian portion of the Lamanites.

Ammon and his brethren were not willing to have the disciples continually harassed and eventually exterminated; they judged that the Lord, having so thoroughly tried the faith of this devoted people, would provide some way of escape. Ammon counseled with the king, and it was thought better to forsake their all so far as worldly possessions were concerned, than to remain and sacrifice their lives. But first they would inquire of the Lord. Ammon did so and the Lord said, Get this people out of this land, that they perish not, for Satan has great hold of the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to