38. Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew none save it were their leader, with his sword; and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few.

39. And when he had driven them afar off, he returned, and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, 2mbearing the arms which had been smote off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done.

CHAPTER 18.

1. AND it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his servants should stand forth and testify "to all the things which they had seen concerning the matter.

2. And when they had all testified to the things which they had seen, and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in preserving his flocks, and also of his great power in contending against those who sought to slay him, he was astonished exceedingly, and said, Surely, this is more than a man. Behold, is not this the 'Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon this people, because of their murders?

3. And they answered the king, and said, Whether he be the Great Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king; neither can they scatter the king's flocks when he is with us, because of his expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that he is a friend to the king. And now, O king, we do not believe that a man has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.

4. And now that when the king heard these words, he said unto them, Now I know that it is the "Great Spirit; and he has come down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your brethren. Now this is the Great Spirit of whom our fathers have spoken.

5. Now this was the tradition of Lamoni, which he had received from his father, that there was a Great Spirit. Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that whatsoever they did, was right; nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his servants:

6. For he had slain many of them, because their brethren had scattered their flocks at the place of water; and thus because they had had their flocks scattered, they were slain. 21, vers. 34, 38. 2m, vers. 37, 38. Alma 18: 16, 20,

a, Alma 17:31-38. 17:34-38. d, see b.

b, vers. 3-5, 11, 18, 26-28. Alma 22: 9-11. c, Alma e, vers. 5, 6. Alma 17: 28, 31. f, see b. g, see e.

7. Now it was the practice of the Lamanites to stand by the "waters of Sebus, to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away many that were scattered unto their own land, it being a practice of plunder among them.

8. And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants, saying, Where is this man that has such great power?

9. And they said unto him, Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi ; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.

10. Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his 'chariots, he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying, Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants, that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember "all my commandments to execute them.

11. Now I surely know that this is the "Great Spirit, and I would desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not.

12. And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the "chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence;

13. And one of the king's servants said unto him, Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great king, considering their kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him, Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to stay;

14. Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do for thee, Oh king? And the king answered him not for the space of an hour, according to their time, for he knew not what he should say unto him.

15. And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again, What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.

16. And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he said unto him, Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvellings?

17. I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvellings are so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.

18. Now when the king had heard these words, he marvelled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him, Who art thou? Art thou that 'Great Spirit, who knows all things?

19. Ammon answered and said unto him, I am not.

20. And the king said, How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks.

21. And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest, I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me, I will grant it unto thee.

22. Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni, Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? and this is the thing that I desire of thee.

23. And the king answered him, and said, Yea, I will believe all thy words; and thus he was caught with guile.

24. And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him, Believest thou that there is a God?

25. And he answered, and said unto him, I do not know what that meaneth.

26. And then Ammon said, Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?

27. And he said, Yea.

28. And Ammon said, this is God. And Ammon said unto him again, Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?

29. And he said, Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.

30. And Ammon said unto him, the heavens is a place where God dwells and all his holy angels.

31. And king Lamoni said, Is it above the earth?

32. And Ammon said, Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart: for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

33. And king Lamoni said, I believe all these things which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from God?

34. Ammon said unto him, I am a man; and man in the "beginning, was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this s, see b. t, Alma 17: 31--38. u, ver. 32. Ether 3: 13-16.

T

people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;

35. And.a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power, according to my faith and desires which are in God.

36. Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the "creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the "records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;

37. And he also rehearsed unto them, (for it was unto the king and to his servants,) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travel, &c.

38. And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto them all the "records and scriptures, from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, down to the present time;

39. But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.

40. And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king 2 believed all his words.

41. And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.

42. And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead.

43. And it came to pass that his 2servants took him and carried him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay as if he were dead for the 2dspace of two days and two nights; and his wife, and his sons, and his daughters mourned over him, after the manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting his loss.

CHAPTER 19.

1. AND it came to pass that "after two days and two nights, they were about to take his body and lay it in a w, copies from the Brass Plates.

v, see in, Mos. 2.

Alma 63: 12.

2, 1. Nep. y, copies from the Plates of Nephi. z, see d, Mos. 4. 2a, ver. 2b, ver. 43. Alma 19: 1, 5-12. 2c, Alma 19: 4, 9. 2d, Alma 19:1, 5.

23.

a, ver. 5. A'ma 18: 43.

sepulchre which they had made for the purpose of burying their dead.

2. Now the queen having heard of the fame of Ammon, therefore she sent and desired that he should come in unto her.

3. And it came 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.

4. And 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;

5. Therefore, 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.

6. Now, 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 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 marvellous 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;

7. Therefore, 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.

8. And 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.

9. And 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.

10. And 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.

11. And 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.

12. And 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;

b, ver. 9. e, Alma 18: 42.

Alma 18: 43.

f, vers. 11, 12.

c, ver. 1. Alma 18: 43.
g, ver. 8.

d, ver. 1.