1 Nephi 17:43 Textual Variants

One wonders if the text here isn’t missing a what after but. The original manuscript is extant for this passage and there is no what inserted there. Elsewhere in the text we have three examples of “know not but what”:

• Alma 60:18 (two times)
  • for we know not but what ye yourselves are a seeking for authority we know not but what ye are also traitors to your country
• 3 Nephi 18:32
  • for ye know not but what they will return and repent

There is also one example of “know not but that”:

• Alma 54:21
  • but if it so be that there is such a being we know not but that he hath made us as well as you

Despite these examples, there is also an example without either the what or the that, and the original manuscript is extant for this passage:

• Alma 56:43
  • behold we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them

Although the expression “know not but” without the what seems strange in 1 Nephi 17:43 and Alma 56:43, it does appear to be possible in the Book of Mormon text.