Chapter 12: Three Days

The queen’s pains began before Abish even fell back asleep. She quickly rubbed the sleep from her eyes and was at the queen’s side when she heard her cry out. It was still hours before dawn and Abish ordered the candles lit throughout the chamber. Her contractions were not close, but they were surprisingly sharp. The fear was apparent all over the queen’s lovely face and Abish worked to reassure her. Just after dawn, she sent word to Lamoni that today would be the day.

In less than an hour Lamoni himself was at his wife’s bedside. He was unable to stay long, but his appearance energized the queen. He comforted and reassured her, quite tenderly, Abish thought. Abish stayed back while he was there, although she sensed from his looks her direction that part of their discussion revolved around her. She bowed low as he walked toward the door, but instead of walking past her he stopped. “You, girl.” She glanced up, startled to be addressed by him, as she never had been before. His eyes were dark and unfathomable and for a moment he looked terrible to her. She looked down.

“Yes, Sire.”

“You are young to handle the life of my wife and child. I have my doubts, but she has expressed complete faith in your abilities and will have no other. Look at me.”

She raised her eyes to meet his, hoping she appeared competent and confident. He peered at her closely and continued in a low voice, “You will purchase your freedom this day if all goes well.” His gift was wholly unexpected and the look on her face must have shown her further surprise. “But by the gods, if any harm comes to this woman you will regret having ever laid eyes on me.” He swept from the room in a flurry of feathered robes. She nearly sank in fear to the deep rug underfoot, but the queen moaned and Abish quickly shook off the threat and focused on the job she had to do.

By late afternoon, Abish was exhausted. More than once she had to stifle a yawn and splash cool water in her face. She held the queen’s hand, massaged her back, rubbed her temples, spoke soothing words and held her eyes locked while she breathed. No matter how many times she was part of this miracle, she was always amazed by the strength of mothers. The queen’s progress was steady, but slow, and despite her exhaustion, Abish knew it would still be many hours before the baby was born.

As sunset approached, the queen fell against her bed, wholly drained. Abish had observed that the body changes during birth caused a woman to feel intensely sleepy between pains. Abish held the queen under her arms, stroking her damp hair softly. The pain was coming every minute now and her respite would not be long. In spite of herself, the prayer she’d carried in her heart all day spilled out of her mouth. “Dear God, she murmured against the queen’s cheek, this is a noble daughter. Please do not let her hard work this day be in vain. Please bless her with the righteous desire of her heart. If nothing else, bless her for the kindness she has often shown a slave girl.”

The queen stirred beneath her and Abish helped push her up to her knees to get on top of her next pain. While the lady never said anything about the words Abish had spoken, she seemed to do better after the prayer. She seemed more determined, more able. Instead of fighting the pain so desperately, she began working with it. Less than twenty minutes later her water broke and the progress started in earnest.

While Abish’s assistant held the queen’s arms Abish sat below the chair that had the bottom cut out of it. She was pushing well, but something was wrong. Abish knew the baby should be out by now. It had crowned, but wouldn’t drop. She was desperate for knowledge she didn’t have. Then, the Spirit whispered the peace to her heart she had longed to hear the entire day. Her fear left and she knew that she had delivered babies like this before. She pretended for a moment the stakes were no different and forced the queen to look at her. She gave instructions and used her expertise to find where the cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck. With a slip of her finger the obstruction was gone and then instructed the queen to push. Once. . . twice. . . .

And the baby girl was out into Abish’s hands, but all was not well. She was nearly blue in color and didn’t cry out the way babies usually did. Abish cut the cord and whisked her immediately away to the window where the last of the day’s sunlight was shining through, just feet from the blazing fire. It was the warmest spot in the room and the newborn’s blankets had been set up there. The queen was crying out, and Abish continued to shout encouragement while massaging the tiny purple limbs. Movement was scarce and no breath had been taken yet. Abish squeezed the girl’s cheeks to clear out the phlegmy obstruction in her mouth. On impulse, she began breathing into the little girl’s mouth, watching between each breath for her little chest to begin rising and falling on its own. She had never tried such a thing before and had nearly given up all hope when she saw a slight movement, then there was a cough and sputter and a terrifically loud cry. Her color instantly went from a sickly purple to a healthy pink in moments and Abish began laughing and crying all at once, wrapping and handing her to her mother immediately. She quieted quickly when the queen swaddled her close. The queen both wept as Abish cleaned up the afterbirth and the baby suckled.

After the baby was cleaned and fed, Lamoni was sent for and Abish stayed carefully away from the family scene. She felt a deep contentment and peace she only felt in the hours immediately after birth, especially a difficult birth. The perfect spirit of a tiny baby was so sublime it touched anything in contact with it for many weeks.

She studied Lamoni’s face from the side. Usually taciturn and reserved, he was animated and even smiling. This must be a side of him that the queen knew; the man that she had come to love despite having had no choice but to marry him. Again, before leaving he addressed Abish. This time she was better able to meet his eyes and didn’t feel as though she cowered quite so obviously before him. He called her by name, “Abish, you have done a good thing here today. My lady was right to put her trust in you. I will uphold my promise to free you, but it must be on the queen’s terms, as she sees fit. You do, after all, belong to her and not me.”

Abish fought the urge to reply that she belonged to nobody and instead bowed low as he left the chamber. She went back and sat by the queen, the exhausted baby sleeping peacefully beside her. “You should get some sleep, Your Majesty.”

“I’m too full of emotion to sleep. You look tired as well.”

“It was a long day.” And a long night, Abish nearly added.

The queen abruptly changed subject, “Has your slavery here been so awful?”

As always at such times, Abish chose her words with care, “You have always been most kind to me, my Lady. Sometimes I think you have almost been a friend. Even before I was an especial servant to you or even a midwife, Lamoni’s treatment was fair and just.”

“But you wish to leave us.”

“I have never expressed this wish.”

“Yet Lamoni promised you your freedom if this baby came to us whole, and if I survived my experience.”

“He did.”

“And you did not contradict his offer.”

“I am a slave, Madam. I am not in the habit of contradicting a king.”

She sighed deeply. “And regardless of how well you have been treated, you are still not free to make your own choices.”

“No, I am not.”

She held her free arm out and tipped Abish’s head slightly and looked at the notch in her ear. Abish was quiet, marveling that for the second time in less than a day somebody was really seeing her. “If I set you free, where will you go?”

“I have no where to go. This is the only life I have known for many years.”

“You must have come from somewhere.” It was the first time in the months she had slept in the next room that the queen ever ventured to learn more of her.

“It is not a place I can ever go back to.”

The queen nodded, understanding. She seemed to change the subject as she said, “During this long and difficult day, there was a moment you prayed over me. It somehow gave me great strength. I have never prayed, nor was I taught to pray, but when I was a young girl I had a grandmother whom often prayed. Your prayer to a personal, singular God reminds me of the prayers I would catch her uttering aloud at times. So, I say again, Abish, you must have come from somewhere.”

Abish wavered for a moment, the queen had not exactly asked a question, but the implication was obvious and she could no longer hide her past. “My father loved me deeply. He was an apprentice to the priests in the land of Middoni. Then he had a vision.”

“And what was this vision?”

“The only God who lives in the Heavens visited my father to tell him that the life he was following was an abomination. God exhorted him to actually read the scriptures hidden from the Lamanites. He was to call the Lamanites to repentance.”

“And how did the Middonites take this call?” She prodded gently.

Abish lowered her eyes, again feeling unfamiliar tears welling up, wondering how much longer she could hold them back. “He was killed. Sacrificed to false Gods on the temple altar.”
The queen shuddered. Lamoni was not always exactly a gentle man and his anger was sharp and sudden when it came, but she was grateful that human sacrifices were never performed in this part of the Land of Nephi. She wasn’t sure she could have ever gotten used to such cruelty regardless of political expedience. “Were you there?”

“My mother knew it was coming and she fled the city. I ran away before she could take me with her, and I stayed behind so that I would know his fate. After his death, my only choice seemed to be to try and locate her.”

“But you didn’t make it.” The answer was obvious and Abish shook her head slightly. “How can you be so committed and cheerful in your service to this household?”

Abish was again surprised by the many directions this conversation took. “My father taught me of his beliefs before he died. He knew I was committed to them. He admonished me to live for my beliefs. I have never forgotten his charge. I chose to stay behind with my father, and I knew there would be consequences for that. So instead of regretting having loved him more than I’ve ever loved anyone else, I try to be the person the God of Heaven knows I am.”

“And who is that?” The queen was clearly fascinated and Abish’s heart warmed within her.

“I am his child, as are you. As is this new life who has come to you and Lamoni this day. God loves us and wants what is best for us. I may not have exactly chosen to become a slave, but I learned quickly that my attitude would make all the difference in how I was treated, and particularly in my perception of how I was treated.”

“Your words bring me comfort and peace at the end of a long and difficult day.”

“Thank you for your understanding, but now it is time for you to get some rest.” Abish stood, fighting to keep her standing, her aloofness.

“I know. I just have one more question.”

“Yes?”

“Will you always be alone in your belief, or will there be a time that others believe too?”
Abish paused only a moment before whispering, “What does your heart tell you?”
The queen also hesitated before replying, “That a message of love and peace and kindness is just what this land needs.”

“There will be others. And I think the time is near.” The queen looked at her very directly as Abish curtseyed and turned once more to leave the room.

“Abish.” She turned back one last time. “The notch in your ear says you are a slave for life. Perhaps it is time you grow your hair out. I know you have no where to go, but you are free to if you would like. And if not, I would ask that you would stay here in the palace. We need a good midwife and I am sure that you could be paid for your services.”
Impulsively, Abish planted a kiss on the queen’s fair cheek. She repeated the spirit of Ammon’s words from the previous day, “It is my desire to be your servant, perhaps for all the days of my life. There has never been another who has shown such kindness; there has never been another I could tell my heart to. I will not leave you, or this household, as long as I am needed.”

“And I will release you from your oath when it is time.” The queen returned her simple kiss and the bond between them was sealed.

Abish woke up several times that night to check on baby and mother, but like most newborns, the baby was sleepy. Abish let them rest, knowing that tomorrow they would begin a regimen of making sure the little princess ate regularly to gain weight and thrive. She would send word to the servant quarters tomorrow that the queen was in need of a nurse; perhaps Sasha could be spared. It would allow her to spend hours each day interacting with her own son instead of strapping him onto her back. Finally, just a few hours before dawn she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

While she wasn’t exactly refreshed the next morning, she still felt ready to face her day. She made sure the queen was comfortable and then made her way to the slave’s quarters, grateful to not be worrying about subterfuge. By the time she arrived, most of the room was emptied of women who were already about their duties. The palace was buzzing with news of the new baby; word of the nature of her birth had also escaped and Abish could see the near-awe that she was looked upon by the other women.

She finally located Sasha scrubbing floors in the dining room. Abish strode confidently to her side and then saw something that left her in great dismay. Sasha was crying. It was quiet, but profound. Her tears dripped down her face as she worked steadily. Abish was alarmed, “Sasha, whatever can be the matter?”

“It is Ham. . .” She sniffed loudly before she could finish.

“Is he all right?”

“He won’t be.”

“What has happened?”

“Today when they went out on shepherding duty, they called Ham. This is the Nephite’s second day and they actually allowed him to choose whom he wanted to come with him—like he is in charge or something! He picked the strongest and most obedient slaves to go with him. How could he have known that? And why would they let him punish all these good men?”

Abish was surprised at these tidings herself, but saw the situation in a very different light.
“Everything will be fine.”

“How?”

“I believe this man can protect his brethren as well as the sheep.”

Sasha’s tone went from sorrow to a kind of mocking bitterness in almost an instant, “Oh, that is right, I nearly forgot. He is your Nephite. How could any harm come to him or any around him if Abish says that he is the strongest and best. Abish, the one who can do anything can now predict the future too! He probably only chose Ham because of you—you are the one that convinced him to wake him up that night.” Abish was unsure what to say next. Sasha’s voice had risen slightly and she was nearly hostile.

“I am deeply sorry, friend.”

Her calming words seemed to take some of the steam out of Sasha’s tirade and in its place was just sorrow. “I am sorry too; I know this isn’t your fault, nor is it something you would have chosen for us.” “Maybe we will just have to trust God.” It was a thing she would normally never say aloud, but her conversation with the queen the night before made her bold.

Sasha scoffed, “I think the gods care very little for the likes of Ham and me.”

“And why not? You are good, hard-working honest people who are trying your very best to make a happy life. Why should you not be helped in such endeavors?”

Sasha looked at her for a moment, her tears finally subsiding. And, for the first time since finding her that morning, there was the slightest hint of hope in her dark eyes. “I don’t know why, but I find it surprisingly easy to believe you sometimes.”

Abish smiled, “Good. Because I have some news that you will really want to hear.”

Sasha readily agreed to be the princess’s nurse, if the queen would have her. As she agreed, tears came to her eyes for a second time. This time for joy. Such a position would mean much more time to spend with her child, and Sasha wasn’t ignorant of the other benefits of having the most powerful woman in the city as your ally.

The rest of the day was busy as the queen’s quarter adjusted itself to its new arrival. There were also many visitors—more than Abish would have preferred, but the baby was, after all, a Lamanite princess. Members from the court filed through, leaving many gifts, some of which were actually useful. The queen’s three stepchildren also lined up and dutifully kissed their little half sister. The older children had a good relationship with the young queen, but Abish could see the uncertainty on their faces. Now that she had a child of her own, would it be the same with them? But the queen had a kind and tender heart and would certainly not let her love be divided. Lamoni was in and out throughout the day, proud and attentive as a good father should be.

The next day Abish’s duties slowed considerably. The queen was doing well and so was her daughter. They decided to name her Sariah. Abish had raised her eyebrows slightly at the suggestion; she remembered seeing this name in the scriptures her father had once given her to handle. Sariah had been the name of the queen’s grandmother. And while Zaria herself had a Lamanite name, she suddenly seemed interested that this baby understand a measure of her Nephite heritage as well. She certainly didn’t look like a Nephite with her mass of dark hair, but only time would tell what color her eyes and her skin would actually be.

She knew that in the coming weeks, her position as the queen’s midwife would wane. There were other women in the palace and in the surrounding city who would need her services, but she was uncertain as to her role now. Would she continue living here? Was she really free to go as she had wished? Perhaps she had been too hasty to pledge her life to the queen in a moment of deep emotion. She tugged at her short hair. Maybe she would have to let her hair grow before she made any decisions at all.

Sasha was enthusiastic in her new duties. After less than a day she said to Abish, “I’m doing great. I’ve never eaten so well in my life and I have loved taking care of the babies all day. There is just one thing. . .”

“You would like to know how Ham is, or to let him know where you are.”

She nodded. “Yes, that is exactly it.”

“I will find out what I can.”

Abish wasn’t exactly sure how she would find out the information she sought. She wandered toward the King’s court not knowing what she would do next, but grateful to have some task to occupy her time. She was curious about Ham herself; besides, learning about him would help her to learn the fate of Ammon as well. She wandered into the back of Lamoni’s receiving hall, half expecting it to be empty so late in the day, but instead the room was crowded with people, straining to see past one another. Surprised, Abish squeezed through the group to a vantage point to the side of the room. As soon as she saw what the commotion was about, she nearly gagged.

Five men, one of whom was Ham, stood in the center of the large room speaking to the King. On the floor in front of them, in a very large basket, were arms. Actual, severed, human arms. They were speaking rapidly, and sometimes over one another, answering the King’s questions as quickly as he could ask them. Abish was thoroughly confused; it was easy to see that she had missed most of the story. She concentrated carefully, trying to piece together what had happened. Ammon was no where to be seen.

After listening for several minutes, as near as she could tell, it seemed that the men and the sheep had been attacked by a large group of men. Ammon had killed several of them with his sling and cut off the arms of any person who raised a sword against him. Abish believed their outlandish tale; the hacked arms were evidence of that.

They finished their retelling of the events and Lamoni sat in stunned silence for what seemed like several minutes. People in the room began to shift their weight uncomfortably and the closeness of the warm bodies caused Abish to begin sweating. Lamoni finally said, almost to himself, but still using his most king-like and courtly language, “Surely this is more than a man. Behold, is not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon this people because of their murders?”

The servants looked startled at Lamoni’s words, uncertain how to respond. After several seconds, Ham cleared his throat and spoke up, “Whether he is the Great Spirit or a man, we don’t know,” he paused for a moment to glance at his companions and continued, “but this much we do know—that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king.” There was murmured agreement in the group.


Another man, standing next to him, chimed in, “Neither can they scatter the king’s flocks when he is with us, because of his expertness and great strength.”

Ham nodded, “Whatever else he is, we know that he is a friend to the king.”


The last member of their party finished the glowing report, “And now, O king, I do not believe that man has such great power for we have seen that he cannot be slain.”

Lamoni responded when there was a break, “It must be the Great Spirit. He has come down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not have you killed as the others before you. This is the Being that our fathers have spoken of!” Abish’s heart sang within her. She had never before heard Lamoni purport to have any religious belief. If he could acknowledge there was indeed a God in heaven, regardless of how distorted his tradition was, then certainly Ammon could find a way to talk to him.


Again, there was a space of silence for several seconds; Abish saw some kind of emotion and expression working across Lamoni’s generally stern features. It seemed that Lamoni was deeply agitated, even fearful. Abish could believe it; Lamoni sincerely thought that in facing Ammon again he would be facing his Maker. She was impressed by his boldness when he finally spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, “Where is this man who has such great power?”

Ham bowed low, suddenly chagrined, “If it please your majesty, Ammon is feeding your horses in preparation for tomorrow’s journey to the land of Nephi. It was the other job Lemhah had given to us to do this night, but we thought you would be interested to learn of these events first.”


The king’s face betrayed open astonishment now. “And yet he did not come here to boast of these deeds to be raised up in the eyes of my court? Instead he continues to follow the commands of my steward? Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man, for he remembers to follow through on all my commands. I desire that he should come see me, but do I dare?”

In frustration, he dismissed the crowd in the chamber. She could see the sweat bead on his brow. The heat was getting to him also, it was indeed hard to think in the crowd of people. She’d positioned herself near the front of the room against the wall, so it would take some time for everyone to make their way out. Ham was leaving the room the same time she was and she caught his attention. The room was mostly quiet, so she whispered to him where his wife was. He opened his eyes in surprise and mouthed the word ‘thank you.’ This had indeed been an astonishing day for him all around.


She heard Lamoni shift his weight on the dais behind her, and then, surprisingly, she heard her name called. She turned abruptly to see that it was only she and the king left in the room. She bowed low to him. “Is all well with my wife?” He queried quietly.

“Yes, your majesty. I only came to tell your servant, Ham, that his wife is now nurse to Princess Sariah and her sleeping arrangements have been changed.”


“Ham? The short man who spoke here with these others?”

“Yes sire.”


“He is a good servant.” Abish said nothing, but again nodded, looking down. “As are you.”

“Thank you.”


“The queen told me yesterday that you know something of the Nephite religion, more even than the queen herself who was raised among a Nephite people.”

Abish looked up, stricken. She had been honest with the queen, because it was her habit to be so. She didn’t consider that the queen might betray her confidence, particularly to Lamoni. Images of her father’s death danced before her eyes and she was suddenly afraid, but concealment was not an option. “Yes.” She responded, the word barely creaking out.

“Have you seen this Ammon?”

“I was in court the day he arrived.” She kept further information to herself. Knowing of the midnight visit might weaken the awe he felt toward Ammon at this moment.

“And what think you of him?”

Abish could scarcely believe this remarkable turn of events. A king asking her opinion! Still, she was careful for while he was vulnerable in this moment, he was still a man of great power and temper. “I think you should send for him; I think he means Your Majesty no harm.”
Lamoni abruptly clapped and Lemhah appeared. Abish stayed planted in place, having not been dismissed. “Ask Ammon to come into me if he is willing to see me.”

Lemhah bowed, “I believe he is on his way even now, Sire.”

The king suddenly looked stricken. Abish waited in silence. Would he ask her to move? Leave? Was there any way that she might be witness to this extraordinary meeting? The king’s eyes were wide, again the fear and uncertainty played through his face and anxiety oozed from him. She faced him directly, but she didn’t think he even saw her. His eyes were trained on the door, staring.

She heard a noise behind her. The king stared, as if frozen. Abish whirled quickly. Ammon stood in the doorway. He was filthy from his days’ labor, but his eyes were bright and his chin was strong. Abish’s stomach flipped as it had the first time he looked at her. She had never seen such strength, intelligence and beauty embodied by one man. Ammon glanced at her, but then saw past her to the king. He regarded the heathen king silently for a moment and then moved as if he would leave again directly.

Abish, nearly breathless, dared to speak the words the king could not, “Rabbanah,” Ammon’s eyes darted to her face. He knew the word—it was the word for great, or powerful king. Such a word was never even referenced to Lamoni, but only to his father. It gave him pause and she continued in her most courtly language, “Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to stay.”

Ammon strode forward and stood in front of Abish, who carefully bowed and took four or five steps back. He looked at Lamoni with boldness and queried, “What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O King?”

There was a long pause while Lamoni attempted to gather his wits. Abish’s back began to ache from standing still for so long. It seemed like an hour. Ammon finally repeated his question, but still the king was unable to answer. The pause was interminable, but Ammon’s booming voice finally filled the silence, “You have heard of my deeds this day, and you marvel because of it. But I am no god; I am just a man, and your servant. You desired that I should defend your flocks. I have done no more or less than what thou commanded.” Ammon’s words were as courtly as Abish’s had been. Their exchange was so formal and yet somehow personal at the same time. Abish thought she would weep for joy at the mere sound of the language.

Lamoni answered in kind, “Who art thou, that you can discern my thoughts? You say you are a man, but you must be the Great Spirit.”

“I am not.”

“Then how can you know the thoughts of my heart? Speak boldly, and tell me of the things that give you such great power of spirit and body. If you will tell me these things, whatever you want I will give unto thee. I would guard you with all the armies under my command, but I know that you have no need of this; you are more powerful than all of them. But whatever you want. I will give it, freely.” He bowed his head, as if to a sovereign.

While Lamoni’s head was down, Ammon turned his face slightly to Abish. He gave her a half-smile, a knowing smile. Hadn’t she told him just three days previous that if he would defend these flocks faithfully then Lamoni would listen to any message? She had been right; his almost-amused smile told her that she had been right. It was his way of thanking her for her help. She perceived Ammon’s wisdom, but his harmlessness in a moment as he said to the king, “If I tell you of the power by which I do these things, will you promise to listen to all my words?”

He glanced up, sharply. “That is it? All I must do is listen?” Ammon nodded. “Very well, say on; I will believe all you say.”

Ammon moved from his bold stance for the first time. He sat next to King Lamoni, at his feet and looked into his face. Lamoni moved to sit next to him. Abish was amazed; she had never seen such a thing. Abish also moved to sit, wordlessly, silently where she had been standing so that she might not be asked to leave. And, as predicted, Ammon built on Lamoni’s belief about a great spirit. He helped Lamoni to understand that there was only one God of the Universe who had created all things, including heaven, a concept Lamoni had never heard. He told the king of a personal God who knew his very thoughts and intentions. Ammon taught by asking questions and allowing Lamoni to think and listen. Abish’s heart sang out with great joy at the knowledge being reawakened in her heart as she listened to Ammon teach with such patient sincerity and love.

Lamoni asked, in awe, “Art thou sent from God?”

Ammon repeated, “I am just a man, like you, Lamoni. But the greatest part of the message I have come to share is that man, from the very beginning, was created after the image of God. We are his children! He loves us and is concerned for our well-being. So he sends his Spirit to help us learn of Him. I have been called by that Holy Spirit to teach these things unto you and your people, that you might all be brought to the knowledge of what is just and true. A portion of that Spirit dwells in me, and gives me knowledge, as well as power, depending on my faith and my righteous desires. You feel it right now too, don’t you, Lamoni?”

Lamoni nodded slowly, “I do! I feel everything in me expanding, growing. I cannot even explain it, but I know that you are sharing the truth.”

Ammon nodded along with Lamoni, growing more enthusiastic as the king spoke. Abish found herself nodding too. “That feeling is the beginning of testimony. As you gain knowledge of things as they were, are, and are to come, you will feel it continue to grow and expand until you cannot contain the joy you feel.”

“Teach me, Nephite, tell me of these things.”

Ammon smiled, clasping his arm on Lamoni’s. “No longer Nephite and Lamanite, but brother to brother I will teach you these things.”

“And not just me, will you teach those in this palace too?”

“I will teach any who will listen,” he pointed to Abish, “and we’ll start with her.”

Lamoni looked at her, noticing her for the first time in many minutes. He smiled at her. “Yes, indeed, and any others who are about.” Abish jumped, searching corridors for any she could find immediately. Lemhah had been waiting not far away and seemed impatient at her request, but willing to follow the king. There were other servants about, including Ham and those who had tended sheep with Ammon. She gathered as many as she could in a matter of moments and they returned to the king’s chamber. Lamoni seemed pleased, “Yes, this will be a good start. There will be others, especially my family, but for now, this will do.”

Then Ammon began to speak. To Abish, it seemed like hours as Ammon spoke of the creation, the fall of man, the history of the children of God in the old land and the journey to the new. He told of the history of the Nephites and Lamanites in a way that Abish had never before heard. Lamoni was all astonishment as he heard a new version of events he had always been taught. Then, when the history lesson was past, he taught of the redeeming power of God through the coming of his Son. Abish could see the amazement and joy evident in the faces surrounding her.
As Ammon spoke of atonement and redemption, Lamoni hung on every word. Finally, when it seemed he had exhausted all words, there was a great, heavy silence. Lamoni sunk to his knees calling on God in the most desperate manner possible crying out, “O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou has had upon the people of Nephi. Please, Father, have such mercy upon me and my people.” Abish openly wept as she saw the desperation and torment of their king; she noticed that other eyes in the room were wet also, Ammon’s included as he knelt near the king, adding his supplication to Lamoni’s.

And then, without warning, Lamoni dropped to the ground, as if he were dead.