Alma 18: 24-39

        In these verses, I really love how Ammon connected with King Lamoni. He did not destroy the belief of the King. He built on what he already knew. It says in verses 24-29:

       "And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

         And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.

         And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?      

         And he said, Yea.

         And Ammon said: This is God. 

      And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth? 

        And he said, Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens."

       People call God by different names. And He is the same God, almighty, the most powerful being in the whole universe, our Heavenly Father. King Lamoni calls Him, the Great Spirit. That's how he knew God all along. And now Ammon gave him clarity by teaching him that this Great Spirit whom King Lamoni believed and God are the same.

         Ammon showed us a beautiful way of communicating what we believe in with others who are not of the same faith as ours. We are not sharing something foreign to them. We are just adding to what they already have. And that truly builds rapport and trust. 

      I know how challenging it is to build rapport at times. Building a relationship of trust is a skill. Ammon got it. What did help him a lot to be able to do that was his spiritual preparation before meeting King Lamoni. And because of his preparation and also the faith and prayer of his own father, King Mosiah, the Lord's Spirit has been Ammon's constant companion. Through the Spirit, he's able to figure out a way to touch the heart of King Lamoni. Before teaching him, Ammon did some amazing things for King Lamoni and his fellow servants. That's in the previous chapter. And I really love it. So I would really love to share my thoughts on it. Will do that next time...Just got back to doing this blog today and I'm hoping to keep up with this if not every day, at least twice or once a week.