This story truly is one of my absolute favorite in all of the Book of Mormon. I love so much seeing the progression made by King Lamoni's father. He goes from hating all Nephites and almost killing his own son for traveling with a Nephite, to being willing to give up half of his kingdom to protect his own life. Then, as he sees the mercy that Ammon shows and the love that Ammon has for his son, Lamoni, he seeks to understand with greater detail the gospel that has changed the heart of his son and built such faith. When Aaron comes to teach him, he expresses that he will give even up to his entire kingdom to know of this truth. As we can see, he goes from valuing his life at half the kingdom to valuing his entire kingdom for the truth of the Gospel. The most beautiful part, though, comes as he begins to pray to God. In Alma, we hear his beautiful prayer and desire:
“O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee.”
Wow. Do we ever show that kind of faith? We express it, maybe, but when it comes down to giving up that one guilty pleasure or that one habit that is wrong but so enticing, are we really willing to give up all of our sins to know God? I know that I want to come to develop that more. I want to see no sin and no wrong choice above knowing God. Because when we hold on to sin, we can never know God. Only when we have cast off those desires can we truly endure and enjoy the light of Christ and come closer to our father. We need to choose to do that. Love God above the lucre of this temporal world. In doing so, we will find the greatest joy and we will come to know God as our Father in Heaven.
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