Alma 19

Light of the World

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 was 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 marvelous 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— Alma 19:6

Lamoni's conversion is described as darkness driven out by 'the light of everlasting life.' That light leads straight to his vision of the Redeemer in verse 13, which makes it a soft echo of Christ as the light who gives everlasting life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 8:12 — Jesus: whoever follows Him 'shall have the light of life.'
• alludes to Mosiah 16:9 — Abinadi: Christ 'is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless.'

Resurrection

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. Alma 19:8–12

They were about to lay Lamoni in a sepulchre, but Ammon said he would 'rise again,' and he got up on the third day, after 'two days and two nights.' The wording echoes Christ's words over Jairus's daughter and His own rising on the third day. Lamoni stands up spiritually reborn and testifying of the Redeemer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 5:39 — Jesus: 'the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.'
• alludes to Matthew 16:21 — Jesus foretells that He will be killed and 'raised again the third day.'

Redeemer

Redeemer — the one who buys back, paying the price to set the captive free

For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. Alma 19:13

While he was 'carried away in God,' Lamoni saw the Savior in vision. He wakes up testifying as an eyewitness. A Lamanite king who had never believed becomes a witness of Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Job 19:25 — 'I know that my redeemer liveth.'
• alludes to 2 Nephi 11:2 — Isaiah and Nephi both 'saw my Redeemer', the same eyewitness wording.

Birth of Christ

For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. Alma 19:13

Lamoni prophesies that the Redeemer will be born of a woman and will redeem everyone who believes on His name. God coming down to be born as a mortal is the heart of Book of Mormon teaching about Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Alma 7:10 — Alma prophesies that the Son of God 'shall be born of Mary.'
• the same event in Mosiah 3:8 — King Benjamin's angel names His mother Mary.
• fulfilled by Galatians 4:4 — 'God sent forth his Son, made of a woman.'
• fulfilled by Luke 2:7 — Mary 'brought forth her firstborn son.'

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM', the premortal Christ

Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord. Alma 19:23

This is the Lord's own promise to King Mosiah that his missionary sons would be protected. It comes true when the man who raises a sword against Ammon falls dead. In the Book of Mormon, the Lord who speaks to the prophets is Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Mosiah 28:7 — The original promise: 'I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.'

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua / Yeshua, 'Jehovah saves'

And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people! Alma 19:29

The Lamanite queen wakes from her vision and calls on Jesus by name, praising Him for saving her from hell. This is roughly 90 years before His birth. Her cry fits the meaning of His name, 'Jehovah saves.'

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

• the same title in Alma 36:18 — Alma the Younger cries 'O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me' as he is rescued from the pains of hell.

Faith in Christ

And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name. Alma 19:36

Mormon draws the lesson from the Lamanite conversions: the Lord's saving arm reaches every people who repent and believe on His name. In verse 13 'believe on his name' refers to the Redeemer. Ammon's mission shows Christ's mercy was never meant for only one nation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Alma 5:33 — 'the arms of mercy are extended towards them.'
• alludes to 3 Nephi 9:14 — Christ: 'mine arm of mercy is extended towards you.'