Alma 23

The King Protects the Missionaries

The Lamanite king sent out a proclamation to all his people: no one was to harm Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Himni, or any of their companions who were preaching God’s word. Wherever they went in his territory, they were to be left alone. He made it official: don’t arrest them or tie them up. Don’t throw them in prison. Don’t spit on them, attack them, or kick them out of your synagogues. Don’t whip them or stone them. Instead, let them into your homes, your temples, and your sacred places. They were free to preach however they wanted. The king had come to the Lord, and so had his whole household. He sent this decree across the land so nothing would block God’s word from spreading. He wanted his people to see through the lies their fathers had taught them—to realize they were all brothers and had no reason to murder, rob, steal, sleep around, or do any kind of evil.

Churches Spring Up Everywhere

After the king issued his proclamation, Aaron and his companions traveled from city to city and from one place of worship to another. They planted churches and appointed priests and teachers throughout Lamanite territory to preach and teach God’s word. Their work took off. Thousands came to know the Lord. Thousands began to trust the Nephite teachings. They learned the records and prophecies that had been passed down to that day. As surely as the Lord lives, every person who came to know the truth through the preaching of Ammon and his brothers—through the Spirit of revelation and prophecy, through God’s power working miracles among them—everyone who believed their message and turned to the Lord never fell away. They became good people. They put down their weapons and refused to fight against God or each other anymore.

A List of the Faithful

These are the ones who turned to the Lord: The Lamanite people in the land of Ishmael, and the Lamanites in the land of Middoni, and the Lamanites in the city of Nephi, and the Lamanites in Shilom, in Shemlon, in the city of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilom. Those were the Lamanite cities where people came to the Lord and laid down their weapons—all of them. Every one of them was Lamanite.

The Amalekites didn’t turn—only one did. Not a single Amulonite came around. They hardened their hearts and hardened the hearts of the Lamanites wherever they lived—in every village and city. That’s why I listed all the Lamanite cities where people repented, learned the truth, and changed their lives.

A New Name, A New Life

The king and those who had turned to the Lord wanted a name—something to set them apart from their relatives. So the king talked it over with Aaron and many of their priests to decide what they should be called. They chose the name Anti-Nephi-Lehies. From then on, that’s what they were called. They stopped being known as Lamanites. They became a hardworking people. They made friends with the Nephites and opened up lines of communication. And the curse that had followed them was gone.