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Abish was a Lamanite woman who was a servant or attendant in the court of King Lamoni. She had been converted to the Lord “for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father” [1][2]. This suggests that Abish had a spiritual experience, either a vision of her own father or a vision that her father had, that led to her conversion long before the events described in Alma 19.
When Ammon arrived and began teaching King Lamoni, the king was overcome by the Spirit and fell to the ground unconscious [1]. For three days, the king remained in this state, and Abish kept her conversion a secret during this time [1].
When the king, queen, Ammon, and the servants all fell unconscious due to the power of the Spirit, Abish recognized what was happening and took action [1][2][3]. She “ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people” about what had occurred in the king’s palace [3]. This suggests that Abish’s previous spiritual experience had prepared her to understand and respond appropriately to the theophanic visions experienced by those in the king’s court [2].
When the people arrived and saw the unconscious figures, there was contention and confusion, with some thinking a curse had struck the king’s household [3]. At this point, Abish returned to the palace and took the queen’s hand, causing the queen to awaken and begin testifying of Christ [3]. This then led to the king and others also testifying, and many of the people being converted as a result [3].
Abish’s actions were pivotal in facilitating the mass conversion of the Lamanites in that region, as her knowledge and courage allowed the spiritual experiences to be properly understood and shared [1][2][3]. She is described as fulfilling a unique role in “bringing” the Lamanites “to salvation” and “restoring them to a knowledge of their fathers” [2].
Abish is a faithful, courageous Lamanite woman whose previous spiritual experiences and willingness to act in faith at a critical moment played a key role in the dramatic conversion of King Lamoni, his household, and many other Lamanites [1][2][3].
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