The Book of Mosia

Mosia Chapter 1

And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to queen Benjamine, so that queen Benjamine had continual peace all the remainder of her days. And it came to pass that she had three daughters; and she called their names Mosia, and Helorume, and Helamana. And she caused that they should be taught in all the language of her mothers, that thereby they might become women of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their mothers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lady. And she also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My daughters, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of Goddess.

For it were not possible that our mother, Sariah, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to her children, except it were for the help of these plates; for she having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore she could read these engravings, and teach them to her children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of Goddess, even down to this present time. I say unto you, my daughters, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of Goddess, that we might read and understand of her mysteries, and have her commandments always before our eyes, that even our mothers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our sisters, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their mothers, which are not correct. O my daughters, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephie, which contain the records and the sayings of our mothers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.

And now, my daughters, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of Goddess, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lady made unto our mothers. And many more things did queen Benjamine teach her daughters, which are not written in this book.

And it came to pass that after queen Benjamine had made an end of teaching her daughters, that she waxed old, and she saw that she must very soon go the way of all the earth; therefore, she thought it expedient that she should confer the queendom upon one of her daughters. Therefore, she had Mosia brought before her; and these are the words which she spake unto her, saying: My daughter, I would that ye should make a proclamation throughout all this land among all this people, or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosia who dwell in the land, that thereby they may be gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth that thou art a queen and a ruler over this people, whom the Lady our Goddess hath given us. And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people which the Lady Goddess hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lady. And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression. Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lady should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lady will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their sisters; and she will no more preserve them by her matchless and marvelous power, as she has hitherto preserved our mothers.

For I say unto you, that if she had not extended her arm in the preservation of our mothers they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred. And it came to pass that after queen Benjamine had made an end of these sayings to her daughter, that she gave her charge concerning all the affairs of the queendom. And moreover, she also gave her charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephie; and also, the sword of Labana, and the ball or director, which led our mothers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lady that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto her.

Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of Goddess upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty. And now, it came to pass that Mosia went and did as her mother had commanded her, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which her mother should speak unto them.