In early editions of the Book of Mormon this phrase read, "not many generations shall pass and they [the Lamanites] shall become a white and a delightsome people." In 1840, under the editorial supervision of Joseph Smith, this verse was changed to "not many generations shall pass and they [the Lamanites] shall become a pure and delightsome people" (2 Nephi 30:6). Nevertheless, for some unknown reason, subsequent editions failed to include this change and reverted to the wording of previous editions. This omission tended to spawn incorrect ideas to the effect that the "Lamanite curse" would only be lifted when the skin color of native Americans became "white." In 1981, the word "pure" was substituted for the word "white." According to McConkie and Millet, in the theological sense the difference is slight, "white" being the symbol of purity (see Alma 5:24; Mormon 9:6; Revelations 19:8). [Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 355] [See the commentary on 2 Nephi 5:21]
A Covenant Plan of Salvation
(2 Nephi--Enos)