Ammon, a story or a parable...

[Rand]

I was reading in Alma 17 the other day, and realized that the account of Ammon, was not just a story but a parable as well.


The Parable of Ammon and the lost sheep.
A Parable of the Savior.

24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni (God the Father) was much pleased with Ammon (Jehovah), and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife. (To have a family).,
25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant.(I will go down.) Therefore Ammon became a aservant to king Lamoni. And it came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.
26 And after he had been in the service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of awater, which was called the water(the Gospel and the water that comes from the House of the Lord) of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—
27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water (The Temple of the Lord), behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and ascattered the flocks (Scattered the Saints) of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways (All upon the Earth).
28 Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already.
29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammon (The Savior) saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king (The Atonement), that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to abelieve in my words.
30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.
31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us(Condemn us to outer darkness).
32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon(The last days, and the gathering of the elect), and they rushed forth with much swiftness(They went with the same power as Ammon, or Christ had demonstrated) and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.
33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon(Christ) said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend(He will fight our battles, or the battles of Zion once it is established) with these men who do scatter our flocks.
34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.
35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would adeliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.
36 But aAmmon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a bcertain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they ccould not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.
37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm.
38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he aslew none save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few.
39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done.

So what meanings can you see in this story which I see as a Parable?

We have to see if other Book of Mormon Stories can be seen as parables as well.

[Matthew.B]

This is an interesting take on scripture! One of the reasons I believe the scriptures we have are historical accounts (stories) instead of systematic theology is the inherent symbolic nature of stories and history.

As far as the story of Ammon goes:

Ammon representing the LORD:
-He will fight our battles for us if we have faith in him and follow his instructions
-He will be victorious in his fighting, and make it so that our enemies are utterly unable to come against us again (cutting off the arms == cutting off another's ability to act; removing the power from another's actions)
-Always faithful and humble

[Rand]

I suspect it was their right arms that were severed, which is the covenant arm. Their ability to make covenants was limited. They sought to destroy the Savior. The scriptures says that "their worm dieth not", meaning the Savior, who self describes as a worm, will not pay for their sins.
The further I think about it, the deeper it goes.

[JohnnyL]

Yeah, I saw a short version a time ago:
http://scriptoriumblogorium.blogspot.co ... hrist.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think we should see signs of the master in the servant.

[Rand]

Yeah, I saw a short version a time ago:
http://scriptoriumblogorium.blogspot.co ... hrist.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think we should see signs of the master in the servant.

Very cool! I hadn't seen it anywhere else, but noticed it when I was reading the account a month or so ago. Fascinating how two people get the similar insight at the same time.
Thanks for keeping me humble JohnnyL. http://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; :ymhug:

[JohnnyL]

Yeah, I saw a short version a time ago:
http://scriptoriumblogorium.blogspot.co ... hrist.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think we should see signs of the master in the servant.

Very cool! I hadn't seen it anywhere else, but noticed it when I was reading the account a month or so ago. Fascinating how two people get the similar insight at the same time.
Thanks for keeping me humble JohnnyL. http://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/posting. ... 4&p=227806#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An all-too common experience here too... :ymblushing:
But nice that two people decided to share and discuss it.

[p51-mustang]

I have always felt the BOM is very allegorical in its presentation. The stories are literal events that have multiple meanings and can be looked at from different perspectives. That is one reason it is so powerful.

[Rand]

It seems to me that this story is also a description of the Holy Order, as well as what they will do and how they will do it.

[TonyOlsen]

I was reading in Alma 17 the other day, and realized that the account of Ammon, was not just a story but a parable as well.


The Parable of Ammon and the lost sheep.
A Parable of the Savior.

24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni (God the Father) was much pleased with Ammon (Jehovah), and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife. (To have a family).,
...
39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done.

So what meanings can you see in this story which I see as a Parable?

We have to see if other Book of Mormon Stories can be seen as parables as well.

What came first the chicken or the egg?

The savior used examples of the shepherd and the sheep because it was something the people at that time could relate to... because it was common. I don't think God had Ammon's experience be with sheep for a parable, but instead, the Savior later spoke of sheep/shepherd because many had experience with sheep.

Remember also that Ammon's story was long before the Savior arrived.

[Rand]

My point is that this story as well as many others in the Book of Mormon are parables with alternate meanings as well as stories. I found several interpretations in this story that are parable like. Maybe it is why Mormon choose these stories of the many he could have to include in the final record.

[JohnnyL]

What came first the chicken or the egg?

The savior used examples of the shepherd and the sheep because it was something the people at that time could relate to... because it was common. I don't think God had Ammon's experience be with sheep for a parable, but instead, the Savior later spoke of sheep/shepherd because many had experience with sheep.

Remember also that Ammon's story was long before the Savior arrived.

Types, prophecies, and the Holy Ghost. B-)

[Rand]

oh, now come BrentL, share more of that thought ...