Here we see one of the primary characteristics of a successful missionary: a love of the people and a love for the land in which the missionaries serve. For all we know, Ammon may have left behind wife and children, at least friends and acquaintances. He left the comfort and peace and predictability of the known for a new life-fourteen years-life among the unknown, among a people who had been enemies to the Nephites for generations.
But Ammon was focused, dedicated, his eye single to the glory of God. He had put his hand to the plough and had no inclination to look back (see Luke 9:62). He had been born of the Spirit and in that condition he was “desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for [he] could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause [him] to quake and tremble”(see Mosiah 28:3).