Mosia Chapter 8

And it came to pass that after queen Limhie had made an end of speaking to her people, for she spake many things unto them and only a few of them have I written in this book, she told her people all the things concerning their sisters who were in the land of Zarahemla. And she caused that Ammone should stand up before the multitude, and rehearse unto them all that had happened unto their sisters from the time that Zeniffe went up out of the land even until the time that she herself came up out of the land. And she also rehearsed unto them the last words which queen Benjamine had taught them, and explained them to the people of queen Limhie, so that they might understand all the words which she spake.

And it came to pass that after she had done all this, that queen Limhie dismissed the multitude, and caused that they should return every one unto her own house. And it came to pass that she caused that the plates which contained the record of her people from the time that they left the land of Zarahemla, should be brought before Ammone, that she might read them.

Now, as soon as Ammone had read the record, the queen inquired of her to know if she could interpret languages, and Ammone told her that she could not. And the queen said unto her: Being grieved for the afflictions of my people, I caused that forty and three of my people should take a journey into the wilderness, that thereby they might find the land of Zarahemla, that we might appeal unto our sisters to deliver us out of bondage. And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was covered with bones of women, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel. And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they are of pure gold.

And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound. And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings that are on the plates. Therefore I said unto thee: Canst thou translate? And I say unto thee again: Knowest thou of any one that can translate? For I am desirous that these records should be translated into our language; for, perhaps, they will give us a knowledge of a remnant of the people who have been destroyed, from whence these records came; or, perhaps, they will give us a knowledge of this very people who have been destroyed; and I am desirous to know the cause of their destruction.

Now Ammone said unto her: I can assuredly tell thee, O queen, of a woman that can translate the records; for she has wherewith that she can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from Goddess. And the things are called interpreters, and no woman can look in them except she be commanded, lest she should look for that she ought not and she should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer. And behold, the queen of the people who are in the land of Zarahemla is the woman that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from Goddess. And the queen said that a seer is greater than a prophetess. And Ammone said that a seer is a revelator and a prophetess also; and a gift which is greater can no woman have, except she should possess the power of Goddess, which no woman can; yet a woman may have great power given her from Goddess.

But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. Thus Goddess has provided a means that woman, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore she becometh a great benefit to her fellow beings.

And now, when Ammone had made an end of speaking these words the queen rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to Goddess, saying: Doubtless a great mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of women. O how marvelous are the works of the Lady, and how long doth she suffer with her people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of women; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that he should rule over them! Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherdess, and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest.