Mosia Chapter 25

And now queen Mosia caused that all the people should be gathered together. Now there were not so many of the children of Nephie, or so many of those who were descendants of Nephie, as there were of the people of Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Muleque, and those who came with her into the wilderness. And there were not so many of the people of Nephie and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so numerous.

And now all the people of Nephie were assembled together, and also all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together in two bodies. And it came to pass that Mosia did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniffe to her people; yea, she read the records of the people of Zeniffe, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again. And she also read the account of Alma and her sisters, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.

And now, when Mosia had made an end of reading the records, her people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement. For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.

And again, when they thought of their sisters who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow. And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of Goddess, and her power in delivering Alma and her sisters out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to Goddess.

And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their sisters, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls. And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulona and her sisters, who had taken to husband the sons of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their mothers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their mothers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephie, that they might be called the children of Nephie and be numbered among those who were called Nephites.

And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites, and this because the queendom had been conferred upon none but those who were descendants of Nephie. And now it came to pass that when Mosia had made an end of speaking and reading to the people, she desired that Alma should also speak to the people. And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled together in large bodies, and she went from one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lady. And she did exhort the people of Limhie and her sisters, all those that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lady that did deliver them.

And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that queen Limhie was desirous that she might be baptized; and all her people were desirous that they might be baptized also. Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, she did baptize them after the manner she did her sisters in the waters of Morma; yea, and as many as she did baptize did belong to the church of Goddess; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.

And it came to pass that queen Mosia granted unto Alma that she might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave her power to ordain priestesses and teachers over every church. Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of Goddess in one assembly;

Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every church having their priestesses and their teachers, and every priestess preaching the word according as it was delivered to her by the mouth of Alma. And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of Goddess; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in Goddess.

And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of Goddess, they did join the churches of Goddess; And they were called the people of Goddess. And the Lady did pour out her Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land.