Alma 18

Ammon Serves and Teaches King Lamoni

We don’t know why King Lamoni regarded Ammon so highly when they first met. Perhaps it was Ammon’s willingness to serve or the light of Christ he reflected, or that he was King Mosiah’s son. Whatever the reason for the positive first impression of Ammon, Lamoni was deeply touched by the faithfulness with which Ammon served him over the following three days. Because of what he felt, Lamoni was willing to believe all of Ammon’s words. This lesson is intended help you find ways to help others come closer to God through your Christlike love and service.

Use Church-approved visual media effectively. The wise use of visual media can enrich students’ understanding and help students build their testimonies. Consider breaking longer videos into shorter segments. Invite students to look for and discuss how doctrine and principles are illustrated.

Student preparation: Invite students to ask a friend or a family member to identify people they know who have helped others come closer to God through their Christlike love or service.

Possible Learning Activities

Preach the gospel

Share or display the following statement, and invite students to discuss what they think it means. You could use the questions that follow the statement to help develop this discussion.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

One of the greatest sermons ever pronounced on missionary work is this simple thought attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 77)

• How can we preach the gospel without using words?

• Why is that such a powerful way to preach?

Jesus Christ was the perfect example of teaching the gospel.

• Can you think of accounts of Jesus helping others learn about Heavenly Father even while not saying very much?

Consider inviting students to share examples of how the Savior helped others come closer to Heavenly Father through His example, miracles, or service to others. Examples could include the accounts from John 11:41–45; 13:4–5, 13–15.

You might remember that when Ammon began his mission among the Lamanites in the land of Ishmael, he did not immediately begin teaching the gospel. Instead, he promised the king, “I will be thy servant” (Alma 17:25). Ammon was then assigned to watch over the king’s flocks. Through the power of God, he protected the flocks and the other servants from Lamanites who attempted to scatter the sheep.

As you study Alma 18 today, pay attention to the impact Ammon’s faithful service had on King Lamoni. Be thinking of ways you can help others come closer to God by loving and serving them in Christlike ways.

The impact of Ammon’s Christlike love and service

The following verses could be studied together as a class, or students could study with a partner.

Read Alma 18:1–11, looking for the effect Ammon’s actions had on King Lamoni. You could also watch “Ammon Defends the King’s Flocks” from time code 2:57 to 5:24 as you follow along in your scriptures. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What stands out to you about Ammon’s actions in these verses?

• What impact did Ammon’s actions have on the king?

After Ammon had finished preparing the king’s horses and chariots, he came to the king and noticed that Lamoni’s countenance had changed. Through the Spirit, Ammon perceived the king’s thoughts and knew that Lamoni was marveling over the miraculous way Ammon defended the king’s flocks (see Alma 18:12–19).

Read Alma 18:20–23, looking for what Lamoni desired. You could also watch “Ammon Teaches King Lamoni about the Gospel of Jesus Christ” from time code 0:23 to 1:56 as you follow along in your scriptures. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What role do you think Ammon’s Christlike love and service played in the king’s willingness to believe Ammon’s words?

One truth we can learn from this account is that through our Christlike love and service, God can prepare the hearts of those we serve to receive gospel truths.

Consider inviting students to discuss the following question with a small group. Then members from each group could share some of their responses with the class.

• What are some ways we can help others come closer to God through our Christlike love and service?

If possible, share an example of a time when you have seen others come closer to God because of someone’s Christlike love and service. You could also ask students to think of and share examples they have seen.

Ammon teaches Lamoni gospel truths

Based on the needs and abilities of your students, consider whether it would be best for students to study the following verses together as a class, with a partner, or on their own.

Read Alma 18:24–43, looking for what Ammon taught Lamoni. You could make a list of what you find, paying attention to the words “rehearsed,” “expounded,” and “told.” You could also watch the video “Ammon Teaches King Lamoni about the Gospel of Jesus Christ” from time code 1:56 to 5:41, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and follow along in your scriptures.

• What are some of the important truths that Ammon helped Lamoni understand?

  Consider having students list on the board their answers to the previous question. Students could also put a star by the truths that missionaries teach today.

• What impact did these truths have on Lamoni?

• Why are these truths important for us to understand today?

See a suggestion in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section that can help students understand the significance of the truths Ammon taught the king in these verses.

Although many of the Lamanites thought Lamoni had died when he fell to the earth, Ammon later helped them understand that the king “was under the power of God,” or “carried away in God” (Alma 19:6). You will learn more about Lamoni’s conversion as you study Alma 19.

Applying what you have learned

Give students time to consider how they can apply the truths they have studied today. It may be helpful to display the following instructions and invite students to record their responses in their study journals. You could then invite a few students to share some of their goals or plans, but not the names of the people they thought of.

Think of someone you feel you could help come closer to God through Christlike love and service.

• How can you serve or show Christlike love to this person?

• How might your efforts help this person come closer to God?

• What obstacles do you see that could make it difficult to serve this person with pure love? How can you overcome those obstacles?

Commentary and Background Information

Why can serving others be an effective way to share the gospel?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency reflected on the significance of Ammon preparing the king’s horses after successfully defending the flocks of the king. President Eyring then said:

Isn’t that odd? He was called to teach the doctrines of salvation, but he was in the stables. Don’t you think he should have been praying and fasting and polishing his teaching plan? No, he was in the stables. …

… Never, never underestimate the spiritual value of doing temporal things well for those whom you serve.

… Be their servants, and you will love them. And they will feel your love. And more important, they will feel God’s love. (Henry B. Eyring, “The Book of Mormon Will Change Your Life,” Ensign, Feb. 2004, 13–14)

Should I only serve others so they will accept the gospel?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, said:

The Savior loves all of God’s children regardless of their socioeconomic circumstance, race, religion, language, political orientation, nationality, or any other grouping. And so should we!

God’s greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to those who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God’s children. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Greatest among You,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 79–80)

What are modern-day examples of people coming closer to God through the Christlike love of others?

Watch the video “The Transforming Power of Love” (5:08), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, to see examples of three young adults who were drawn to the Church because of the love they felt from others.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Building on common beliefs

Students could study Alma 18:24–32, looking for how Ammon used what King Lamoni already believed to teach the truths of the gospel. Consider using the story of Kevin told by President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President, in her talk “That They May See” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 79–80).

Students could discuss the value of building on common beliefs. They could then think of similarities between their beliefs and those of their family members or friends of other faiths. How could they build on those beliefs to help their family or friends understand the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ?

Alma 18:36–43. Our need for a Savior

Explain that Ammon’s approach in Alma 18:36–39 is a pattern used by missionaries today to teach that as we understand our need for the Savior, we will desire to repent. After reading verses 36–43, students could discover and discuss some of the following ideas:

• What are some elements of the plan of redemption that Ammon taught?

• What effect did these teachings have on Lamoni? What was he ready to do after he was taught?

• Why do you think it is important to teach about the Creation and the Fall when we teach about the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Before we can comprehend the Atonement of Christ, … we must first understand the Fall of Adam. And before we can understand the Fall of Adam, we must first understand the Creation. These three crucial components of the plan of salvation relate to each other. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 33)