Redaction: We are doubtless at least two versions away from the original record. Mormon uses Ammon’s record to construct this part of his text, but Ammon was unconscious during Abish’s action (v. 33). Someone had reported it to Ammon, who told Alma about it.
Culture: Lamoni himself clearly espoused Ammon’s preaching despite the drama of Lamoni and his queen apparently rising from the dead, nevertheless, “many… would not hear.” Most monarchies have firm strictures against open disagreement with the king. Thus, this development reinforces the hypothesis that the rival lineage, representatives of whom were present, made these events part of their political resistance. It also reinforces the hypothesis that they had sufficient social and political support to be immune to ordinary protocol.