In the
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement, first published in 1830 by Joseph Smith as ''The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi''.
The book is one of ...
, Ammon () is a
Mulekite descendant and leader of a
Nephite
In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites () are one of four groups (along with the Lamanites, Jaredites, and Mulekites) said to have settled in the ancient Americas. The term is used throughout the Book of Mormon to describe the religious, poli ...
expedition from
Zarahemla, sent to discover the fate of
Zeniff and his people (who had not been in contact for 75 years). Zeniff and his followers left Zarahemla and travelled to Nephi, their ancestral home, which was then in the possession of the Lamanites. This may have contributed to his expedition, not knowing the actual route to Nephi.
Ammon and his men discover the descendants of the people of Zeniff, who had successfully colonized Nephi but were then enslaved by the Lamanites. Zeniff's grandson
Limhi rules under the Lamanites and initially imprisons Ammon. Upon learning who Ammon is, he releases him and rejoices in his arrival. Ammon teaches the people of Limhi the famous sermon of
King Benjamin and helps convert them to the gospel. However, he refuses to baptize the converts, "considering himself an unworthy servant". The reason for his apprehension is not given, and the people wait until they reach Zarahemla to be baptised by
Alma the Elder. Ammon, Gideon, and King Limhi conspire to escape from the Lamanites by making the guards drunk. The plan is successful and Ammon escorts them to Zarahemla.
Attributes
Ammon is a descendant of Zarahemla, the last non-Nephite king in the land of
Zarahemla.
Etymology
According to
Hugh Nibley
Hugh Winder Nibley (March 27, 1910 – February 24, 2005) was an American scholar and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who was a professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) for nearly 50 years. He was a prolif ...
, ''Ammon (or Amon)'' is "the commonest name in the Book of Mormon" and "the commonest name in the
Egyptian Empire
The New Kingdom, also called the Egyptian Empire, refers to ancient Egypt between the 16th century BC and the 11th century BC. This period of ancient Egyptian history covers the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth dynasties. Through radioc ...
" (which embraced
Palestine
Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a country in West Asia. Recognized by International recognition of Palestine, 147 of the UN's 193 member states, it encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and th ...
at
Lehi's time, which fell within its
Late Period). The name also occurs in the Bible.
See also
*
The Record of Zeniff
References
Book of Mormon people
Sources
*
*
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