1 Nephi 7:7 Textual Variants

In his copying from 𝓞 to 𝓟, Oliver Cowdery deleted the subordinate conjunction that here in 1 Nephi 7:7. With or without the that, the syntax is difficult. Based on its occurrence in the earliest textual source, the that should be restored.

There are many passages where either accidentally or through editing the subordinate conjunction that has been deleted after the phrase “and it came to pass”. There are also many examples where the that has been added. These changes are often idiosyncratic (as here in 1 Nephi 7:7). Particularly difficult cases will be discussed individually, but for a complete list see the general dis-cussion under that in volume 3.

The use of “in the which” immediately followed by a noun occurs elsewhere in the text:

• 1 Nephi 5:5
  • but behold I have obtained a land of promise
    in the which things I do rejoice
• Alma 56:10
  • and I did join my two thousand sons
    —for they are worthy to be called sons—
    to the army of Antipus
    in the which strength Antipus did rejoice exceedingly
• Alma 61:8 (two times)
  • and he hath written unto the king of the Lamanites
    in the which he hath joined an alliance with him
    in the which alliance he hath agreed to maintain the city of Zarahemla
    in the which maintenance he supposeth will enable the Lamanites
    to conquer the remainder of the land
• 3 Nephi 4:4
  • that they might subsist for the space of seven years
    in the which time they did hope to destroy the robbers
    from off the face of the land
• Ether 13:31
  • and Shared wounded Coriantumr in his thigh
    that he did not go to battle again for the space of two years
    in the which time all the people upon all the face of the land
    were a shedding blood

All of these examples refer to a just-mentioned word or concept. In 1 Nephi 7:7, “in the which rebellion” refers back to the language in verse 6 (namely, “did rebel against us”).