Here we have a direct quote from the Lord which the text introduces using the historical present. Such a use of the present tense seems strange here since the preceding text is in the past perfect (“the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire”). Normally, the historical present is found in narratives that describe the alternating discourse between two individuals (such as between Nephi and the angel of the Lord in 1 Nephi 11–14 or between Amulek and Zeezrom in Alma 11). Nonetheless, the text does sometimes use the historical present unexpectedly, such as here in 1 Nephi 17:12. A similar oddity is found later on in this same chapter when Nephi introduces an indirect quote with the historical present saith:
Such instances of saith seem intentional and will be maintained in the critical text. For a complete discussion and a full listing of examples, see historical present in volume 3.
Summary: In accord with the earliest textual sources, restore the use of the historical present saith in 1 Nephi 17:12 and 1 Nephi 17:49, even though the historical present may seem strange in instances like these.