King Limhi Presents Plates to Ammon

King Limhi said many other things to his people which are not written in this book, telling them all about their fellow Nephites living in Zarahemla. Then he had Ammon tell them everything that had happened in Zarahemla, from the time that Zeniff had left there until Ammon and his fifteen companions went out to search for them. Ammon also repeated and explained King Benjamin’s last speech to King Limhi’s people, so that they would know and understand Benjamin’s prophecies of Christ. After all this, King Limhi dismissed the multitude and they returned to their homes.

Then Limhi brought a set of plates to Ammon which contained the record of his people from the time his grandfather, Zeniff, left the land of Zarahemla. When Ammon finished reading this record, Limhi asked him if he could interpret languages. Ammon told him that he could not.

Limhi then explained to Ammon, “Being grieved over the afflictions of my people, I sent out forty-three men into the wilderness to find the land of Zarahemla, to ask their fellow Nephites to deliver us out of bondage.

“These men became lost in the wilderness for many days. They never found the land of Zarahemla, and returned home, having traveled through a land of many lakes and rivers. They discovered a land covered with the bones of people and animals, and with the ruins of all types of buildings. The land had once been populated with as many people as the hosts of Israel.

“To prove their findings, my men brought back twenty-four plates of pure gold, filled with engravings. They also brought large breastplates in perfect condition, made of brass and copper, and rusty swords with the handles rusted away.

“No one in this land is able to interpret the language engraved on the plates. This is why I asked if you could translate. If not, perhaps you know someone who can translate. I want these records to be translated into our language, for maybe they will tell us about any of the survivors of those who were destroyed, and where these plates came from. Or maybe the plates will tell us about the very people who were destroyed. I am very curious to know how they were destroyed.”

Ammon replied, “I know of a man who can translate ancient records by simply looking at them through what are called interpreters. This is a gift from God. No man can look into them unless he is commanded to, or else he would look for what he should not and perish. Whoever is commanded to look into them is called a seer, or one who sees.

“The man who has this high gift from God is King Mosiah, king of the people of Zarahemla.” Limhi said, “A seer must be greater than a prophet!” Ammon explained, “A seer is both a revelator and a prophet. No man can have a greater gift from God unless he possesses God’s power, which no man can. But a man can be given great power from God. A seer can know the past and the future. Through a seer, all things are revealed, secret things are shown, and hidden things come to light. God has provided this method for a man, through faith, to work mighty miracles and become a great benefit to his fellow beings.”

King Limhi was overjoyed at hearing this news. He thanked God by saying, “No doubt a great mystery is contained within these plates. These interpreters must have been prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to all people. Oh how marvelous are the works of the Lord. How long He suffers with His people. How blind and dense people are in their understanding, for they will not seek to be governed by wisdom. They are like a wild flock running from the shepherd, and once scattered, they are chased and eaten by wild animals.”