Ammon begins to speak and explain why they are there. The important part of the beginning is to declare who he is. He gives his name, and then he notes that he is a descendant of Zarahemla, coming from the land of Zarahemla. This introduction is intended to provide a kinship link to Limhi. Even if Limhi were, as is likely, more a descendant of Nephi than Zarahemla, Limhi was still tied to a heritage that included the land of Zarahemla. There were probably those among Limhi’s people who had also been descendants of Zarahemla.
In the ancient world, kinship was an important means of determining how one was treated. Kin were to be considered part of one’s group, even if they were unknown. Thus, as strangers in the land, Ammon and his brothers could call upon the kinship ties to assure that they would be treated well, rather than be treated as enemies. This declaration of kin relationships fits well into the known customs of interaction for most ancient peoples.
Limhi’s reaction is immediate. Upon hearing that they are a type of kin, the imprisonment ends. In fact, Limhi declares that he will throw a party the next day. This is a very large family reunion, but one with overtones that will be discovered as the story is told.