Although Lamoni’s father agreed to the freeing of Ammon’s brethren, nevertheless Ammon and Lamoni still had to carry out their mission in the land of Middoni, finding “favor in the eyes of the king of the land.” This is an accurate depiction of the interrelationships of kings among the Maya. The over-king’s agreement, transmitted second-hand by Lamoni, would have been influential in the negotiations; but the local king’s dignity required that he make a decision, not just obey an order.
Variant: The printer’s manuscript and the 1830 edition begin the second sentence with: “And it came to pass that.… ”