Seminary
Alma 17: “According to the Word and Power of God”

“Alma 17: ‘According to the Word and Power of God,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Alma 17,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Alma 17

“According to the Word and Power of God”

Ammon defending Lamoni’s flocks

Imagine trying to preach the gospel to a group of people who could be described as wild, hardened, and ferocious. This is exactly what the sons of Mosiah chose to do when they went to the land of the Lamanites to preach the gospel to them. Alma 17 describes the help Ammon received from God as he began his ministry among the Lamanites in the land of Ishmael. This lesson can help you recognize the help and strength the Lord gives you in the difficult situations you face.

Our need for God’s help

Think about the following scenarios:

Luci has felt the need to repent and change the way she is living her life, but everything she has tried to change does not seem to be making a difference.

Guillermo feels inspired to serve a mission, but his parents are upset because they need his help with the family business.

  • What are some ways God could help Luci or Guillermo?

  • What are some ways they could seek for or recognize His help?

Take a moment to ponder and write in your study journal about how you feel you most need God’s help or strength in your life. What are some ways you hope God might help you? As you study Alma 17 today, look for ways you can recognize and invite God’s strength into your life.

The sons of Mosiah

Chapters 1–16 in Alma recount events in Alma’s life during the first 14 years of the reign of the judges. In Alma 17–27, we learn about the missionary journey of the sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites during that same time period. Alma 17 begins with Alma and his friends, the sons of Mosiah, meeting for the first time after being apart for those 14 years (see Alma 17:2–4; 27:16). The names of Mosiah’s sons were Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni.

Read the following verses, looking for important details about Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni’s mission.

icon, record

  1. Answer the following questions:

    • What stands out to you about the sons of Mosiah from these verses?

    • What evidence did you find of God’s help or strength operating in their lives? Consider marking this evidence in your scriptures.

Ammon and King Lamoni

Before these missionaries separated to preach the gospel in different areas, Ammon taught and blessed them. Then Ammon went to a land called Ishmael. When he entered that land, he was captured and taken before the king, whose name was Lamoni (see Alma 17:17–20).

Read Alma 17:21–25, looking for the offer Ammon made to King Lamoni. You may also want to watch the video “Ammon Becomes the Servant of King Lamoni” (3:47), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

3:47

Ammon Becomes the Servant of King Lamoni | Alma 17

Ammon and the sons of Mosiah go on missions to teach the Lamanites the word of God. Ammon chooses to become King Lamoni’s servant and lives with the Lamanites.

  • How might Ammon telling the king “I will be thy servant” (Alma 17:25) have allowed Ammon to be a more effective missionary?

While Ammon and others of the king’s servants were watching over the flocks, they encountered a difficult situation.

Read Alma 17:26–39, and look for how Ammon reacted to this situation. You might also watch “Ammon Defends the King’s Flocks” from time code 0:00 to 3:10. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

5:25

Ammon Defends the King's Flocks | Alma 17–18

While King Lamoni’s servants and Ammon take care of the sheep, a group of thieves tries to steal them. Ammon defends the flock and saves the king’s sheep. The king believes Ammon is the Great Spirit.

  • How might Ammon’s confidence in this situation relate to the promise the Lord gave to Ammon’s father, Mosiah, in Mosiah 28:7?

  • If you had been there, what would you have thought about Ammon?

Read Alma 18:1–3, looking for what the other Lamanite servants told King Lamoni about this experience.

  • How did the king’s servants describe Ammon?

Although the king’s servants had a difficult time describing why Ammon was able to preserve the king’s flocks in such a miraculous way, they recognized that he had access to power that was greater than a mortal person could have.

From Ammon’s experience, we can learn that the Lord grants His strength and power to His servants who strive to do His will.

Near the end of his 14-year mission, Ammon reflected on the strength and power God gave him throughout his time serving the Lamanites.

Read Alma 26:12, looking for what Ammon said about the source of his strength.

  1. Answer the following questions:

    • What are some examples of situations in which we need the Lord’s help or strength in our lives?

    • What are some of the ways the Lord might bless us with His help or strength?

    • What can you do to invite or access God’s help or strength in your life?