Interpreters are things in which a man can “look, and translate all records that are of ancient date.” Ammon said that no man can look in them unless he is commanded, and a commanded man who looks in them is called a seer (Mosiah 8:13).
A king said the interpreters were prepared for “unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men” (Mosiah 8:19). King Mosiah conferred the interpreters, records, and the plates of brass upon Alma, the son of Alma, and commanded him to keep and preserve them (Mosiah 28:20).
Alma said to preserve the interpreters while commanding that the twenty-four plates be kept (Alma 37:21). The speaker said, “I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord” (Ether 4:5).