"I believe all these things which thou hast spoken..."

My lesson in Primary today is on: The Lord Helps Missionaries.

A story I will be telling the children about today is one I love.  Here is the paraphrased version of the story from the lesson manual:

Ammon was a Nephite prince. He was one of the sons of a righteous king named Mosiah. Ammon chose to teach the Lamanites about the gospel of Jesus Christ instead of becoming king.

Ammon loved Jesus Christ and wanted to serve him well. He prayed and fasted that the Spirit would be with him and help him.

When Ammon went to the Lamanites, they tied him up and took him to their king because they thought he was an enemy. Ammon asked to be a servant to the king. King Lamoni liked Ammon and let him live.

One day as Ammon and some of the other servants were taking the king’s sheep to water, some of the king’s enemies came and scattered the sheep. The king’s servants were frightened. They knew the king would have them killed if the sheep were stolen or lost.

When Ammon heard this, he told the servants that he would help. He told them to gather the flocks and he would take care of the robbers. He knew the Spirit would help him.

When the robbers saw Ammon coming toward them, they were not afraid, because there were many of them and Ammon was alone. The robbers did not know that the Spirit was helping Ammon. Ammon began throwing stones at them with his sling with such great power and strength that it surprised them. They soon found that although Ammon could hit them, they could not hit Ammon with their stones. The Spirit was protecting him.

The robbers attacked Ammon with their clubs. But Ammon received such great strength from the Lord that he cut off the arm of every robber who lifted his club to kill him. The robbers became so frightened that they ran away. Ammon was able to protect the king’s sheep because the Lord helped him.

 While preparing this lesson, a particular scripture impressed me and just made me feel at peace. 

Alma 18:33

And King Lamoni said: I believe all these things which thou hast spoken.  Art thou sent from God?

This is how I feel about the Book of Mormon.  "I believe all these things which thou hast spoken..."  I know the ancient prophet Mormon abridged the records kept by so many of the prophets of old.  I love to read about them, I love to learn more about them, I love trying to teach it teaching it to the kids.  Some days I don't even think they learned a thing...some days I realize, "Yes, I am the teacher here, and they are the children there to learn, but often times I am the one being strengthened, I am the one increasing in knowledge, and in testimony."  And for that I am grateful.  This scripture takes me back to my converting days...I am thankful for the things I have learned and I am thankful for the knowledge I have of the work here on earth today.