Family dynamics have not changed in 2100 years. Lamoni gets in trouble for missing the big family party. He is careful to patch things up the best that he can but his father does not accept his honest answers. In some families, nothing is more important than the family reunion, not even one's eternal salvation. What was Lamoni doing that he could not come to this feast? He was preparing to go when he had his second interview with Ammon, fell into a trance, and had his great spiritual epiphany (Alma 18:9).