Why was “white” changed to “pure”?

Thomas R. Valletta

“Prior to the 1981 edition of the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 30:6 read ‘they [the Lamanites] shall be a white and delightsome people.’ The change to a ‘pure and delightsome people’ is traced to the 1840 edition made under the editorial supervision of the Prophet Joseph Smith. However, for some unknown reason, subsequent editions reverted to the first wording. This background was called to the attention of the First Presidency and the Twelve with the recommendation that the word ‘pure’ be used in the 1981 edition. These modern-day prophets, seers, and revelators unanimously approved the change as a better expression of the correct meaning of the verse” (Nyman, “Come to Understanding and Learn Doctrine,” 33).

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