And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephi.
Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, from this time forward, king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before God, leaving none to reign in his stead — nevertheless, he established laws and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore, they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made — and it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment seat, there was a man brought before him to be judged, a man who was large and was noted for his much strength.
Therefore, thou art condemned to die according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king.
For a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law — now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him, even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over the people.
And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together and did consecrate Amlici to be their king. ... Now when Amlici was made king over them, he commanded them that they should take up arms against their brethren; and this he did that he might subject them to him.
And he also contended with the king of the Lamanites, but the king of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma, and sent his guards to contend with Alma. ... But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the king of the Lamanites until he slew and drave them back.
And behold, I say unto you, they were delivered out of the hands of the people of king Noah by the mercy and power of God.
Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the spirit saith, Behold, the glory of the King of all the earth and also the King of Heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.
Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices — yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should cause iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction.
For they did not reckon after the manner of the Jews who were at Jerusalem, neither did they measure after the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and their measure according to the minds and the circumstances of the people, in every generation until the reign of the judges, they having been established by king Mosiah.
Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem, and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations — yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness. ... And Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore, he was called the Prince of Peace, for he was the King of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him and bound him, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites who fell into their hands and carry them before the king. ... And thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them, or to retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast them out of his land, according to his will and pleasure. ... And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni, and he was a descendant of Ishmael. ... And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desires to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people.
And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife. ... Therefore, Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni. ... 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 water, which was called the water of Sebus — and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither that they may have water — therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king; and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.
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. ... Now when Ammon saw this, his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will shew forth my power unto these my fellow servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.
And thus we will reserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.
And they rushed forth with much swiftness, and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water. ... Therefore, they delighted in the destruction of their brethren, and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.
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 smote 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.
And it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his servants should stand forth and testify to all the things which they had seen concerning the matter. ... And they answered the king and said, Whether he be the Great Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king, neither can they scatter the king’s flocks when he is with us because of his expertness and great strength. ... Therefore, we know that he is a friend to the king. ... And now, O king, we do not believe that a man has such great power, for we know that he cannot be slain. ... And now when the king heard these words, he said unto them, Now I know that it is the Great Spirit, and he has come down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your brethren.
And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants, saying, Where is this man that has such great power? ... Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and his chariots and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi, for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land. ... Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots, he was more astonished because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying, Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man, for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.
And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king. ... And he saw that the countenance of the king was changed. ... Therefore, he was about to return out of his presence, and one of the king’s servants said unto him, Rabbanah — which is (being interpreted) powerful or great king, considering their kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him, Rabbanah — the king desireth thee to stay. ... Therefore, Ammon turned himself unto the king and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? ... But the king answered him not.
And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. ... Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts. ... But notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth and said unto him, Who art thou? ... And the king said, How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? ... And the king answered him and said, Yea, I will believe all thy words.
And king Lamoni said, Is it above the earth? ... And king Lamoni said, I believe all these things which thou hast spoken.
And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travel, etc.
And it came to pass that after he had said all these things and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words.