“We Know That He Is a Friend to the King”

Brant Gardner

The servants confess their ignorance about whether Ammon is mortal, even though they all but described him as divine in the last verse. They know he has performed something miraculous but are loathe to place themselves in a position where they might possibly be seen as contradicting the king. They hedge their answers.

An important comment, one which will have some bearing on the rest of this story, is their declaration that Ammon is “a friend to the king.” Based solely on Ammon’s obvious power, Lamoni is nervous—a reasonable reaction given the notorious unpredictability of deities in granting blessings or wreaking havoc among the people. By asserting that Ammon is “a friend to the king,” the servants provide an important, reassuring note so that Lamoni is predisposed to trust Ammon.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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