Humility in a King

Some of the my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon have to do with those people who are converted to the gospel after being in darkness or simply denying the gospel. I feel like these are people that I can better connect with as I become more and more aware of my own struggles. They are dynamic people who I imagine think and act similarly to myself. One such person is King Lamoni.

One of the first characteristics that stick out to me is that the king values fairness. He says in chapter 7 of Mosiah, verse 9 that he was elected king by voice of the people; he values the people he reigns over. The reason he binds Ammon and his bretheren in the first place is because they are foreign strangers and could be a threat to his people. However, instead of delighting in bloodshed, he allows their lives to be preserved so that they are permitted to speak. Limhi knows that he potentially could be mistaken and has enough confidence that he will learn from whence these men came.

One thing that sticks out to me is how not only he was willing to listen, but that he really believed Ammon after only listening for a few minutes. Limhi is so excited that he is willing to escape the bondage of the Lamanites to be slaves for the Nephites. This should give some understanding as to how terrible their conditions were and how Limhi was preserved to lead his people. He recognizes the righteousness of the Nephites and craves that more than slaving away for the wicked Lamanites.

Finally on that same day, Limhi invites and Ammon and his bretheren to rest and to eat. He is grateful for them, recognizes their power and rejoices. His attitude towards these men are similar to the attitude that we should have for God and His children. We should recognize how others may be in pain and use our abilities , like Limhi used his riches and his kindness to allow the missionaries to feast, to serve those the Lord loves.