The Missionary Labors of Muloki and Ammah

After the four sons of King Mosiah repented and repaired the wrongs they had done, we read that “they took a small number with them and returned to their father, the king, and desired of him that he would grant unto them that they might, with these whom they had selected, go up to the land of Nephi that they might preach the things which they had heard, and that they might impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites” (Mosiah 28:1).  We generally only think about the fact that the four sons—Aaron, Ammon, Omner, and Himni—went to preach, but there were others, “a small number,” that went up to the Lamanites with them as missionaries.  In the account of their departure we are told again that others were with them, “They departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi” (Alma 17:8).  We have the names of two of those other missionaries, for Ammon related that the Lord told him, “Behold, thy brother Aaron, and also Muloki and Ammah are in prison” (Alma 20:2).  He went to Middoni with King Lamoni and delivered them out of prison.  We also know that there were more than these two, for before Muloki and Ammah were in prison in Middoni, Aaron “found Muloki preaching the word unto [the people of Ani-Anti]; and also Ammah and his brethren.”  We also read that they went to Middoni and “a certain number of his brethren were taken and cast into prison, and the remainder of them fled out of the land of Middoni unto the regions round about” (Alma 22:11, 13).  These verses suggest that the “small number” with the sons of Mosiah included Ammah and Muloki and several others.    

            I wish that we knew more about the other missionaries who labored with the sons of Mosiah, but the Book of Mormon doesn’t give us any information.  We do see that they suffered much and clearly made a great sacrifice, risking their lives, to preach to the Lamanites.  And yet we don’t have their story.  And yet, perhaps there is a lesson in this.  Ammon and Aaron were exceptions in how they are now so well known for their missionary labors; but most missionaries—in whatever dispensation they have labored in—do not get recognized in any significant way.  For every “Ammon” who is praised publicly for his or her missionary labors, countless others have silently given all they had to serve the Lord and preach the gospel.  In saying this I’m not suggesting that Ammon or Aaron shouldn’t be put forth as examples of excellent missionary service—their stories have done enormous good in inspiring the rest of us to serve selflessly and make great sacrifices to preach the gospel.  But we need not think that because our service is not recognized by others in the same way that it is not as valuable in the Lord’s eyes.  The Lord knew where Muloki and Ammah were when they were in prison, and He sent to get them out.  So while we don’t know their story or have details of their missionary labors that we can look to for an example, we do know that the Lord loved them and was very much aware of their service.  And, for missionaries, that is all that really matters.