8:1 And it came to pass that after king Limhi had
made an end of speaking to his people, for he spake many
things unto them and only a few of them have I written in
this book, he told his people all the things concerning
their brethren who were in the land of Zarahemla. |
|
8:2 And he caused that Ammon should stand up before
the multitude, and rehearse unto them all that had
happened unto their brethren from the time that Zeniff
went up out of the land even until the time that he
himself came up out of the land. |
|
8:3 And he also rehearsed unto them the last words
which king Benjamin had taught them, and explained them
to the people of king Limhi, so that they might
understand all the words which he spake. |
|
8:4 And it came to pass that after he had done all
this, that king Limhi dismissed the multitude, and caused
that they should return every one unto his own house. |
|
8:5 And it came to pass that he caused that the
plates which contained the record of his people from the
time that they left the land of Zarahemla, should be
brought before Ammon, that he might read them. |
|
8:6 Now, as soon as Ammon had read the record, the
king inquired of him to know if he could interpret
languages, and Ammon told him that he could not. |
|
8:7 And the king said unto him: 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 brethren to
deliver us out of bondage. |
|
8:8 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 men, 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. |
|
8:9 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. |
|
8:10 And behold, also, they have brought
breastplates, which are large, and they are of brass and
of copper, and are perfectly sound. |
|
8:11 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? |
|
8:12 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. |
|
8:13 Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell
thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records;
for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all
records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from
God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man
can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should
look for that he ought not and he should perish. And
whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is
called seer. |
|
8:14 And behold, the king of the people who are in
the land of Zarahemla is the man that is commanded to do
these things, and who has this high gift from God. |
|
8:15 And the king said that a seer is greater than a
prophet. |
|
8:16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a
prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man
have, except he should possess the power of God, which no
man can; yet a man may have great power given him from
God. |
|
8:17 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. |
|
8:18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through
faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh
a great benefit to his fellow beings. |
|
8:19 And now, when Ammon had made an end of speaking
these words the king rejoiced exceedingly, and gave
thanks to God, 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 men. |
|
8:20 O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and
how long doth he suffer with his people; yea, and how
blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the
children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither
do they desire that she should rule over them! |
|
8:21 Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from
the shepherd, and scattereth, and are driven, and are
devoured by the beasts of the forest. |
|