# Alma 20

*Paraphrase*

### A Journey to Free Prisoners

After they established a church in that land, King Lamoni wanted Ammon to come with him to the land of Nephi so he could introduce him to his father.

But the Lord spoke to Ammon: “Don’t go to the land of Nephi. The king will try to kill you. Go instead to Middoni—your brother Aaron, along with Muloki and Ammah, are in prison there.”

When Ammon heard this, he told Lamoni, “My brothers are locked up in Middoni. I need to go free them.”

Lamoni said, “I know that in the Lord’s strength you can do anything. But I’m coming with you to Middoni. The king there, Antiomno, is a friend of mine. I’ll talk to him and persuade him to release your brothers.” Then Lamoni asked him, “Who told you your brothers were in prison?”

Ammon said, “No one told me except God. He said to me, ‘Go and free your brothers—they’re in prison in Middoni.’”

When Lamoni heard this, he had his servants prepare his horses and chariots.

He told Ammon, “Come on. I’ll go with you to Middoni and plead with the king to release your brothers.”

### A Dangerous Encounter on the Road

As Ammon and Lamoni were traveling, they ran into Lamoni’s father, who was king over all the land.

Lamoni’s father said to him, “Why didn’t you come to the feast on that great day when I hosted a celebration for my sons and my people?” He added, “And where are you going with this Nephite—one of the children of a liar?”

Lamoni told him where he was going, afraid to offend him. He explained why he’d stayed in his own kingdom instead of coming to his father’s feast.

When Lamoni finished explaining, his father was furious. “Lamoni! You’re going to rescue these Nephites, the sons of a liar? He robbed our ancestors, and now his children have come to deceive us with their cunning lies so they can rob us again!”

Lamoni’s father commanded him to kill Ammon with his sword. He also ordered him not to go to Middoni but to return with him to the land of Ishmael.

But Lamoni said, “I won’t kill Ammon, and I won’t return to Ishmael. I’m going to Middoni to free Ammon’s brothers. I know they’re righteous men and holy prophets of the true God.”

### Swords Drawn

When his father heard this, his rage exploded. He drew his sword to strike Lamoni down.

But Ammon stepped forward. “You won’t kill your son. Better that he should fall than you—he’s repented of his sins. But if you fall now in your anger, your soul can’t be saved. And another thing: you need to stop. If you kill your son—an innocent man—his blood will cry out from the ground to the Lord for vengeance against you. You could lose your soul.”

The king answered, “I know that if I killed my son, I’d be shedding innocent blood. It’s you who’s tried to destroy him!” He swung at Ammon. But Ammon blocked his blows and struck his arm so hard he couldn’t use it.

When the king realized Ammon could kill him, he began begging for his life.

Ammon raised his sword. “I’ll strike you down unless you agree to release my brothers from prison.”

The king, terrified he was about to die, said, “If you spare me, I’ll give you whatever you ask—even half my kingdom.”

Seeing he’d gotten through to the old king, Ammon said, “If you release my brothers from prison and let Lamoni keep his kingdom—if you’re not angry with him and let him do as he thinks best in all things—then I’ll spare you. Otherwise, I’ll strike you down.”

### A Changed Heart

When Ammon said this, the king felt relief wash over him—he was going to live.

When he saw that Ammon didn’t want to kill him, and when he saw how much Ammon loved his son Lamoni, he was amazed. “Is this really all you want? That I release your brothers and let my son Lamoni keep his kingdom? Then I grant it. My son will keep his kingdom from now on, forever. I won’t rule over him anymore.”

“And I’ll free your brothers from prison. Come to my kingdom with them—I’m eager to see you. I want to learn more.” The king was deeply moved by what Ammon had said, and by what his son Lamoni had told him.

### Freedom at Last

So Ammon and Lamoni continued their journey to Middoni. Lamoni found favor with the king there, and Ammon’s brothers were brought out of prison.

When Ammon saw them, his heart broke. They were naked, their skin rubbed raw from being bound with thick ropes. They’d suffered hunger, thirst, and every kind of hardship. But through it all, they’d been patient.

They’d had the misfortune of falling into the hands of a hard-hearted, stubborn people who wouldn’t listen to their message. They’d been thrown out, beaten, driven from house to house and place to place until they arrived in Middoni. There they were arrested, tied up with heavy ropes, and kept in prison for many days—until Lamoni and Ammon freed them.

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/alma/20)*
