How Decisions Should be Made

"And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter." (Mosiah 22:1)

Can you imagine King Noah gathering all the people together to consult with the people to solve a problem? No way. King Noah was wicked and vain. There is no way he would accept the voice of the people, or even give the people a voice.

I think it shows humility and brotherhood for Ammon and Limhi to get the voice of the people.

Gideon, one of the people, has shown loyalty and righteousness in the past. He humbly comes forward with an idea:

"Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites.

 4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage." (Mosiah 22:3-4)

"6 Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people that they gather together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness by night.

 7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will bedrunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep.

 8 Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom." (Mosiah 22:6-8)

Everyone liked Gideon's plan, and they followed it exactly and were able to escape from bondage and make it back to Zarahemla to join the people of Mosiah.

I think even if one person is in charge of making the final decision, like King Limhi in this situation, it is still helpful to get all the information you can prior to making that decision, so you can be informed and make the best decision possible. It was wisdom to include the people.