Mosiah 8

King Limhi then asked Ammon to address his people. Ammon told them what had happened to their brothers in the land of Zarahemla since the time that Zeniff had left for the land of Nephi. Ammon told them about King Benjamin’s last public address and explained the significance of Jesus Christ to the gathering of King Limhi’s people.

Ammon was brought the plates which contained the records of King Limhi’s ancestors since their departure from Zarahemla. After Ammon had read the record, King Limhi asked him if he knew how to translate languages. Ammon said that he did not. King Limhi related a story of how he’d directed 43 of his people to take a wilderness journey to reconnect with Zarahemla again in hopes of relieving their oppression at the hands of the Lamanites. The expedition got lost and failed to find Zarahemla, but instead discovered a land filled with lakes and rivers. In this land they also found the ruins of a huge earlier civilization. The ground was covered with bones of men and animals. They discovered buildings of all kinds, perfectly preserved copper and brass armor, rusted swords, and most important of all, 24 golden plates covered with curious engravings that were incomprehensible to any of their people.

“Do you know of anyone who might translate these golden plates?” asked King Limhi, “For I am very curious to know what they say. Perhaps they will give us an understanding of these people who were destroyed, and from whence they came.”

“My king, Mosiah, is a prophet, seer, and revelator of God,” answered Ammon, “and could certainly translate these golden plates. He possesses a certain gift from God which are called interpreters. God permits people to use the interpreters to translate ancient writing. People who use them without God’s permission can die by seeing things they weren’t meant to see.”

Ammon explained that a seer is the greatest position a man can have with God. Seers are prophets and revelators. They know hidden and secret things from the past, present, and future. Seers bring things to light which would not otherwise be known. Through the gift of God, seers work miracles to benefit their fellow men.

When Ammon was finished talking, King Limhi rejoiced and gave thanks to God. “A great mystery is hidden within these plates,” he said, “and these divine interpreters were undoubtedly created for the purpose of revealing this kind of hidden knowledge. The works of God and his patience with his children are great. With our lack of understanding and wisdom, we are like herds of sheep fleeing from the shepherd. He tries to protect us from being scattered and devoured by wild beasts.”