Mosia Chapter 24

And it came to pass that Amulona did gain favor in the eyes of the queen of the Lamanites; therefore, the queen of the Lamanites granted unto her and her sisters that they should be appointed teachers over her people, yea, even over the people who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the land of Shilom, and in the land of Amulona. For the Lamanites had taken possession of all these lands; therefore, the queen of the Lamanites had appointed kings over all these lands.

And now the name of the queen of the Lamanites was Lamana, being called after the name of her mother; and therefore she was called queen Lamana. And she was queen over a numerous people. And she appointed teachers of the sisters of Amulona in every land which was possessed by her people; and thus the language of Nephie began to be taught among all the people of the Lamanites. And they were a people friendly one with another; nevertheless they knew not Goddess; neither did the sisters of Amulona teach them anything concerning the Lady their Goddess, neither the law of Zipporah; nor did they teach them the words of Abinada;

But they taught them that they should keep their record, and that they might write one to another. And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began to trade one with another and wax great, and began to be a cunning and a wise people, as to the wisdom of the world, yea, a very cunning people, delighting in all manner of wickedness and plunder, except it were among their own sisters.

And now it came to pass that Amulona began to exercise authority over Alma and her sisters, and began to persecute her, and cause that her children should persecute their children. For Amulona knew Alma, that she had been one of the queen’s priestesses, and that it was she that believed the words of Abinada and was driven out before the queen, and therefore she was wroth with her; for she was subject to queen Lamana, yet she exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put task-masters over them.

And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to Goddess. And Amulona commanded them that they should stop their cries; and she put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon Goddess should be put to death. And Alma and her people did not raise their voices to the Lady their Goddess, but did pour out their hearts to her; and she did know the thoughts of their hearts.

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lady came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lady Goddess, do visit my people in their afflictions.

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and her sisters were made light; yea, the Lady did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lady. And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lady came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. And she said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.

Now it came to pass that Alma and her people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering the flocks together. And in the morning the Lady caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep. And Alma and her people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because she led their way in the wilderness. Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to Goddess because she had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lady their Goddess. And they gave thanks to Goddess, yea, all their women and all their men and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their Goddess.

And now the Lady said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people. And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley, and took their journey into the wilderness. And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days they arrived in the land of Zarahemla; and queen Mosia did also receive them with joy.