1 Nephi 17:46 Textual Variants

In this write-up, I proposed that the modal verb shall was lost early on in the transmission of the text, that an original “he can cause that rough places shall be made smooth” was written down in 𝓞 as “he can cause that rough places be made smooth” (that is, as a subjunctive that- clause). The main evidence for this emendation is the consistency of the text: elsewhere there are 135 instances of the verb cause taking a that- clause as complement, and in each of those cases the verb in the that- clause is a modal, usually should (121 times) but shall also occurs (11 times). In fact, that modal shows up in the following conjoined clause, “and smooth places shall be broken up”.

Despite this argument from consistency in the text, there is evidence in favor of the earlier reading here in 1 Nephi 17:46. Brent Kerby points out (personal communication, 28 April 2009) that a subjunctive that- clause for the verb cause does occur in the King James Bible:

• Colossians 4:16
  • and when this epistle is read among you cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea

Kerby also argues that there are other verbs in the Book of Mormon that can take that- clauses in the subjunctive, including the possibility of having a conjoined clause that takes a modal verb:

• Mosiah 29:32
  • but I desire that this land be a land of liberty and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike

More generally, a conjunctive subordinate clause can begin with a subjunctive verb form and then be followed by a verb form in the indicative:

• 3 Nephi 18:15 (in a lest- clause)
  • ye must watch and pray always lest ye be tempted by the devil and ye are led away captive by him
• 3 Nephi 27:11 (in an if- clause)
  • but if it be not built upon my gospel and is built upon the works of men or upon the works of the devil …

(For additional examples of such mixtures of mood in conjunctive subordinate clauses, see under Moroni 7:44.) Examples like these argue that the earliest reading in 1 Nephi 17:46, although unusual, is possible. The critical text will therefore revert to the earliest reading here and accept it as the original reading. (As already discussed, Joseph Smith’s emendation for the 1837 edition, “he can cause rough places to be made smooth”, is unnecessary.)

Nephi 17:46, page 373, line –8

• As explained in the preceding addendum, the shall after rough places should be removed, giving for this second line in the citation the following:
  • that [ 01A|the BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST] rough places be made smooth
• As indicated here, the subordinate conjunction that should also be moved down to the beginning of this second line.

[ 1] Nephi 19:10, page 403, line –10

• The chapter and verse heading should, of course, read “1 Nephi 19:10” rather than without the number 1 (as “Nephi 19:10”).

[ 1] Nephi 19:10, page 405, line 6

• Change “the first repetition of God ” to “the first repetition of the God ”.