[Please note that this segment begins in the midst of Alma 17:25]

Alma 17:25

...

And it came to pass that he was set among other servants

to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.

Alma 17:26

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 —

Alma 17:27

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.

Alma 17:28

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.

And they began to weep exceedingly, saying:

Behold, our flocks are scattered already.

Alma 17:29

Now they wept because of the fear of being slain.

Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy;

for, said he, I will show 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.

Alma 17:30

And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon,

when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.

Alma 17:31

And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying:

My brethren, be of good cheer

and let us go in search of the flocks,

and we will gather them together

and bring them back unto the place of water;

and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king

and he will not slay us.

Alma 17:32

And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks,

and they did follow Ammon,

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.

Alma 17:33

And those men again stood to scatter their flocks;

but Ammon said unto his brethren:

Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not;

and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.

Alma 17:34

Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them,

and he went forth and stood to contend with those

who stood by the waters of Sebus;

and they were in number not a few.

Alma 17:35

Therefore they did not fear Ammon,

for they supposed that one of their men could slay him

according to their pleasure,

for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah

that he would deliver his sons out of their hands;

neither did they know anything concerning the Lord;

therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren;

and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.

Alma 17:36

But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling;

yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them;

and thus he slew a certain number of them

insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power;

nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren,

and they were determined that he should fall;

therefore, seeing that they could not hit him with their stones,

they came forth with clubs to slay him.

Alma 17:37

But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon,

he smote off their arms with his sword;

for he did withstand their blows

by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword,

insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him;

yea, and they were not few in number;

and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm.

Alma 17:38

Now six of them had fallen by the sling,

but he slew none save it were their leader with his sword;

and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him,

and they were not a few.

Alma 17:39

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 smitten 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.