One of my favorite stories from the Book of Mormon is about a missionary named Ammon. It has been a favorite for a long time, dating back to the illustrated Book of Mormon days (a simplified kids' version with pictures). My reason for liking the story has changed over time, though. Here is a brief summary of Ammon's story, beginning with his choice to be a missionary (Alma 17-20, 26-27).
Ammon, three of his brothers, and some others decide to go preach the gospel to the Lamanites, who are not only uninterested in the message, but generally are enemies to Ammon's people, the Nephites. The missionaries feel like it is their duty to try and teach the Lamanites, no matter what. Ammon finds himself in a sub-kingdom and meets the king, who asks him what he wants. He tells him he would like to be the king's servant. His first task is to care for the king's sheep, along with some other servants. While watering the flock, a group of men drive the sheep away, hoping to claim some for themselves. Ammon leads the other servants in gathering the sheep and taking them back to the water. The men attempt to drive away the sheep again, but Ammon starts to fight them, by himself. He takes out six with a sling before the group rushes him with clubs. He then proceeds to cut their arms off with his sword, and kill their leader. The rest flee. (You can see why a young boy would like this story, right?) Ammon's fellow servants then gather the detached arms to show the king, because they're super impressed. The king ends up being super impressed, too, and is sure Ammon is more than a man. Ammon then gets the opportunity to explain to King Lamoni that the power he used to defeat the aggressors came from God, which then allows him to teach Lamoni all about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The king is converted, along with his household and many in his sub-kingdom.
A short time later, Ammon is accompanying King Lamoni to see Lamoni's father, who is king over all the Lamanites. They meet the king on the way, and the king is not happy to find his son, Lamoni, with a Nephite, their sworn enemies. Lamoni tries to explain what happened, which makes his dad angry. His dad then threatens him before Ammon intercedes. His dad then tries to fight Ammon, and Ammon injures him to the point he can't defend himself. The king then tells Ammon he'll give him anything he wants, if Ammon will spare his life. Ammon says he'll only spare his life if he agrees to let Lamoni continue on his chosen path and free Ammon's brothers, to which the king agrees. A few chapters later the story is told of the king's own conversion through one of Ammon's brothers, and the king specifically mentions being very impressed by the obvious love that Ammon had for his son, Lamoni, to the point that he was willing to hear what the missionaries had to say.
I like this story because I see in it everything I would like to be. I would like to have the faith to appoach any enemy because I believed it is God's will; I would like to have the hope that no righteous effort is wasted; I would like to have the humility to serve in the lowliest position; I would like to have the courage to stand against attackers, by myself, if necessary; I would like to have so much love for those around me that others would be moved toward God by it; and I would like to be able to do all this without one thought for personal gain or glory, but for my love for God.
-Forrest
Who is developing sweet sling skills.
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