(7:1-3) The first three years of King Mosiah's reign were peaceful. But he was getting a little bored, and was wondering about his brethren who had left Zarahemla years ago. So he sent 16 of his finest men to the land of Lehi-Nephi to go looking for them. Ammon (a strong and mighty man) was their leader.

(7:1) "After King Mosiah had had continual peace for the space of three years, he was desirous to know concerning the people who went up to dwell in the land of Lehi-Nephi, or in the city of Lehi-Nephi; for his people ... wearied him with their teasings."

(7:2) "King Mosiah granted that sixteen of their strong men might go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi to inquire concerning their brethren."

(7:3) "On the morrow they started to go up, having with them one Ammon, he being a strong and mighty man ... and he was also their leader."

(7:4-5) After 40 days of wandering around, they set up camp on a hill north of Shilom, in the land of Nephi.

(7:4) "They knew not the course they should travel in the wilderness to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore they wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days did they wander."

(7:5) "They came to a hill, which is north of the land of Shilom, and there they pitched their tents."

(7:6-7) The next morning, Ammon and three of his best men went down into the land of Nephi to explore. They promptly got thrown in jail by the king's guard.

(7:6) "And Ammon took three of his brethren ... into the land of Nephi."

(7:7) "And behold ... they were surrounded by the king's guard, and were taken, and were bound, and were committed to prison."

(7:8-11) After two days in jail, the king brought them out for questioning. He told them that he was Limhi (the son of Noah, who was the son of Zeniff, who came up out of the land of Zarahemla) and then asked them to explain why they were there, or else be put to death. Seems fair.

(7:8) "When they had been in prison two days they were again brought before the king ...and were permitted, or rather commanded, that they should answer the questions which he should ask them."

(7:9) "And he said ... Behold, I am Limhi, the son of Noah, who was the son of Zeniff, who came up out of the land of Zarahemla."

(7:13) "I am Ammon ... and have come up out of the land of Zarahemla to inquire concerning our brethren, whom Zeniff brought up out of that land."

(7:14) "Limhi ... was exceedingly glad, and said: Now, I know of a surety that my brethren who were in the land of Zarahemla are yet alive."

(7:15) "We are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed with a tax ... [If] our brethren will deliver us out of our bondage ... we will be their slaves; for it is better that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites."

(7:16) "Limhi commanded his guards that they should no more bind Ammon nor his brethren, but ... bring their brethren into the city, that thereby they might eat, and drink, and rest themselves."
So King Lemhi set Ammon and his men free, and allowed them to eat, drink and rest in the city. He even sent a few guards to collect the rest of the men who were still camping on the hill.

(7:17-18) Then King Lemhi sent a proclamation to all his people, telling them to gather together for a speech (oh boy!). Once everyone gathers around, he gives them the good news: "The time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies."

(7:17) "King Limhi sent a proclamation among all his people, that thereby they might gather themselves together to the temple to hear the words which he should speak unto them."

(7:18) "He spake ... saying: ... the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies."

(7:19-33) He then preaches for a little while about how the tribute was their fault in the first place; that it was a punishment sent from the Lord because of their iniquity. Luckily, God is now giving them a second chance.