"I want to be a missionary!!"

I want to write this down so I don't forget it.

Aaron is assigned a talk in Primary this Sunday on the topic: I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. We've been having an ongoing discussion when we sit at the table about the topic. We've broken down what each of those words mean and today I asked Aaron if he could think of someone from the scriptures who served God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength. He immediately thought of Ammon protecting King Lamoni's sheep.

I traced the story back to the very beginning and had the boys recall exactly who Ammon was: the son of King Mosiah (which means he was a prince) and we meet him along with his brothers and friend Alma, the prophet's son, as they go around trying to destroy the Church. One day an angel comes to them and asks why they are trying to destroy God's church. The experience is life changing for them. In an effort to truly repent, they go about trying to repair the damage they made in their rebellion. They even go so far as to want to be missionaries to their enemies, the Lamanites. King Mosiah offers each one of his sons the opportunity to be the next king, but each turns him down choosing instead to bring people to Christ.

Think of this, they chose serving God over being a ruler. This decision effected their ENTIRE society and even their world. Following King Mosiah's reign, their government body changed into more of a republic like ours. They established the election of a chief judge to rule but also another panel of judges to offer a checks and balances. In addition, because of their work among the Lamanites, many people (including some of the Lamanites' own leadership) turned to the Lord and these new Saints played a really important part in later history.

So the sons of Mosiah and Alma go to the Lamanites to serve a mission. Ammon happens to land up in King Lamoni's land. King Lamoni asks him what he is doing there and why. Ammon responds that he wants to live there, possibly for the rest of his life. The king likes this answer and even offers one of his daughters for a wife. I wondered if there was something about Ammon to indicate he was a prince for the king to offer one of his daughters, a princess, to be his wife. Ammon declines and says, nope. I want to serve you.

One of his first assignments is to help water the king's flocks. (And this is the part that is Aaron's favorite story of all time). While there at the waters, another group of Lamanite robbers scatter the flocks. Ammon's fellow servants are beside themselves because historically, King Lamoni kills the servants who let the flocks get scattered. The robbers know this and do it for sport. Ammon recognizes this as an opportunity to show the Lord's power. He takes command of the situation and tells the other servants to gather the flocks back up and encircle them so that they don't scatter. (Incidentally I saw this in action on a farm with sheep. As long as people were spread around the sheep with arms out wide encircling them, they felt enclosed and did not bolt. Once they saw on opening they would make a break for it). When the robbers try to scatter the flocks again, Ammon defends them with his sling and sword. He chops the arms off of those who seek to kill him and finally when they realize they could not overpower him, they run away. Pretty dramatic experience I think. The servants thought so too and when their flocks were watered, they gathered the arms to take back to the king as proof of the story. Ammon just humbly goes on to his next assignment. I drove home the point that Ammon was so obedient that he did not forget or get distracted or do whatever he wanted to do before moving on to his next task.

After the servants present the king with all the arms, Lamoni wonders where Ammon is now. They tell him that he is preparing his chariots like he was told. King Lamoni is so impressed with Ammon's faithfulness and obedience that he calls Ammon to him and wants to know exactly who he is and what power he has because he seems like a god. Ammon tells him he is only a man, but then teaches who God is as well as the plan of salvation. King Lamoni believes him. Further experiences with Ammon then allow King Lamoni's father to hear the gospel and accept it. Between Ammon, his brothers, and Alma, a large group of Lamanites eventually become converted and become a great source of strength to the Nephites.

So to recap, how did Ammon serve God with all his heart, might, mind, and strength? He chose to serve as a missionary instead of a ruler and as a result of his obedience and service, protected people, brought them to Christ and changed their society. At this point, Aaron got really excited and started shouting, "I want to be a missionary!! I want to be a missionary!!" ahh, music to my ears

To read the story directly, here is a link to the chapters in Mosiah and Alma: Mosiah 27, 28, 29, Alma 17-27

I love summer. I love this time with my children. Once school starts it is all hussle and bussle of homework. Summer gives us a chance to actually be together and utelize that time for teaching opportunities. I hope Aaron remembers that feeling of excitement and desire to be an influence for good. I hope Jared caught a feeling of vision from this conversation as well.