Ammon and the Prophesies of Isaiah

Some time ago, as my family and I were reading Alma 17 in the Book of Mormon, I commented, “There’s so much Isaiah in here!”

What exactly was I referencing?

Here are just some of my notes on the story of Ammon and the Anti-Nephi-Lehites, with emphasis on points I believe the prophet Mormon may have intentionally included as a type for our day in relation to the prophecies of Isaiah.

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Prophesies

Royalty

1) BOOK OF MORMON: Ammon, directly descended from royalty, seeks to be the servant of the son of the high king or emperor. In fact, between chapters 17 & 18 he is referred to as a “servant” at least 4 times.

ISAIAH: For now Jehovah has said—

he who formed me from the womb

to be his servant, to restore Jacob to him,

Israel having been gathered to him;

for I won honor in the eyes of Jehovah

when my God became my strength—(Isaiah 49:5)

Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days. (D&C 113:6)

Image: via churchofjesuschrist.org

Sheep

2) BOOK OF MORMON: Ammon and the other servants are to lead the king’s sheep safely to water. Previous servants are slaughtered after failing to protect and shepherd his sheep.

ISAIAH: Their watchmen are altogether blind and unaware;

all of them are but dumb watchdogs unable to bark,

lolling seers fond of slumber.

Gluttonous dogs, and insatiable,

such indeed are insensible shepherds.

They are all diverted to their own way,

every one after his own advantage. (Isaiah 56:10-11)

The kings sheep are scattered

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

3) BOOK OF MORMON: Ammon, already familiar in exercising the power of the Lord, after 3 days in his service, is prepared to be the right hand (or arm) of the Lord, displaying His strength through divine intervention on behalf of the fearful servants and sheep for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king. (Alma 17:29)

ISAIAH: Be not fearful, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you; I will also succor you

and uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 4:101)

Image: via churchofjesuschrist.org

Battle

4) BOOK OF MORMON: Ammon single-handedly defeats the invading forces, first by launching stones, and then with the sword, severing their arms.

ISAIAH: You will flee by the thousand at the threat of one,

by thousands at the threat of five. (Isaiah 30:17)

See, my Lord Jehovah comes with power;

his arm presides for him.

His reward is with him; his work precedes him.

Like a shepherd he pastures his flock:

the lambs he gathers up with his arm

and carries in his bosom;

the ewes that give milk he leads gently along. (Isaiah 40:10-11)

Meek and Obedient

5) BOOK OF MORMON: Like seraphic servants such as Moses and Nephi, Ammon is meek and obedient in all things.

Now when King Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them. (Alma 18:10)

BIBLE: Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3

BOOK OF MORMON: Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. (Helaman 10:4)

Godly Character

6) BOOK OF MORMON: Ammon is so Godly or God-like that he is mistaken for God himself by the vassal king.

Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and I would desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not. (Alma 18:22)

ISAIAH: Thus says Jehovah,

the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel,

to him who is despised as a person,

who is abhorred by his nation,

a servant to those in authority:

Kings shall rise up when they see you,

princes shall prostrate themselves,

because Jehovah keeps faith with you,

because the Holy One of Israel has chosen you. (Isaiah 49:7)

Image: via churchofjesuschrist.org

Adversity

7) BOOK OF MORMON: The lost or fallen Lamanite tribes are converted, receive angelic visitors, the second comforter, and are persecuted by their fellow Lamanites, even though religious freedom is the law.

ISAIAH: Though my Lord give you the bread of adversity

and the water of affliction,

yet shall your Teacher remain hidden no longer,

but your eyes shall see the Master. (Isaiah 30:20)

Conversion

8) BOOK OF MORMON: Led by apostate Nephite priests, the Lamanites (who were marked with a curse) behead their converted countrymen. Many more are converted as a result.

ISAIAH: Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel

head and tail, palm top and reed, in a single day;

the elders or notables are the head,

the prophets who teach falsehoods, the tail.

The leaders of these people have misled them,

and those who are led are confused. (Isaiah 9:14-16)

BIBLE: …and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)

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Yes, please!

Land of Inheritance

9) BOOK OF MORMON: The remnant are led safely by Ammon to the land of their inheritance, given to them by the Zion people of Alma, who are already established in the land.

ISAIAH: I will lift up my hand to the nations,

raise my ensign to the peoples;

and they will bring your sons in their bosoms

and carry your daughters on their shoulders.

Kings shall be your foster fathers,

queens your nursing mothers. (Isaiah 49:22-23)

Hidden or Secret

10) BOOK OF MORMON: By the way, Ammon in both Egyptian and Hebrew means hidden or secret.

ISAIAH: He has made my mouth like a sharp sword—

in the shadow of his hand he hid me.

He has made me into a polished arrow—

in his quiver he kept me secret. (Isaiah 49:2)

BOOK OF MORMON: 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)

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Art Credit: Prophet Isaiah via churchofjesuschrist.org