This second telling adds the detail that Limhi and his guards mistook Ammon and his companions for Noah’s priests. In Mosiah 7, the impression was that Limhi thought they were Lamanites. After understanding Limhi’s story, however, we understand that this could not be true. The Limhites were tributaries to the Lamanites, and capturing Lamanites would have been an act of war. However, he is on the alert for Noah’s priests and quickly has Ammon, Amaleki, Helem, and Hem captured and imprisoned (Mosiah 7:6–7).
This detail also suggests that Limhi’s guard had not been part of Noah’s court or they would have recognized Noah’s priests. During Ammon’ s two days in prison (Mosiah 7:8), it must have been clear that they were neither Noah’s priests nor Lamanites. Limhi thus summons Ammon to identify himself (Mosiah 7:9–13).