The Nephites in Lehi-Nephi, notwithstanding their many faults, had kept a record of their doings from the time of Zeniff to when Ammon came among them. The plates upon which this record was kept were brought before him that Ammon might read them.
The ease with which Ammon read the record of Limhi's people astonished Limhi; his evident understanding of many obscure writings therein, and his knowledge of different races and nations of men, including the Jews and their contemporary peoples, prompted Limhi to inquire of Ammon, "if he could interpret languages." "Ammon told him that he could not." We presume that Ammon had become acquainted with Jewish history by intently reading the Hebrew Scriptures, which you remember were written upon the brass plates of Laban.