Alma 18

A servant mistaken for the God who came down to save

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? Alma 18:2–4

Lamoni wrongly thinks the humble servant is God come down to save his servants' lives. He is wrong about Ammon, but his instinct points to a truth Ammon will soon teach: God Himself would come down as a servant to save.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 3:5 — The Lord Omnipotent shall come down from heaven among the children of men.

Creator

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? Alma 18:28–32

Ammon teaches that the Great Spirit is God, who created all things and knows every heart. Book of Mormon prophets name Jesus Christ as the Creator under the Father's direction, so this 'God' includes the premortal Christ even though the Father and Son are not separated here.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning.
• the same title in Helaman 14:12 — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of all things from the beginning.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

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. Alma 18:39

Ammon's teaching peaks with the plan of redemption and the coming of Christ. Every lesson from the Creation onward leads to Jesus Christ, whose Atonement was prepared before the world was made.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Alma 12:25 — Same phrase: the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world.
• alludes to Ether 3:14 — Christ: I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people.

The Lord of mercy (Lamoni's first prayer)

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. Alma 18:41

Right after learning of Christ, Lamoni cries to the Lord for mercy. When he rises in the next chapter he testifies, 'I have seen my Redeemer,' which shows who answered his plea.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Alma 19:12-13 — The account continues: Lamoni arises and declares he has seen his Redeemer.
• alludes to Alma 36:18 — Alma's parallel cry: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.

Death-and-rising pattern of spiritual rebirth

And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead. Alma 18:42–43

Lamoni lies as if dead while his family mourns, and after two days and two nights he rises a new man. It pictures dying to the old self and rising in Christ, like the Savior's own death, the grief of those who loved Him, and His rising.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Alma 19:1 — After two days and two nights they were about to lay his body in a sepulchre.
• a type of what is in Romans 6:4 — Like as Christ was raised from the dead, we also should walk in newness of life.