2 Nephi 33:4 Textual Variants

The 1830 typesetter accidentally misread he make as be made. The original reading was restored in the 1908 RLDS edition by reference to the printer’s manuscript, but the 1830 reading has been retained in the LDS text. The reading of the original text clearly identifies the Lord as the one who will make the words of the Book of Mormon strong. There is no reason to lose the explicit identification of the agent by using the passive mood. Elsewhere in the text, whenever an individual is made strong, the passive is indeed used:

• 2 Nephi 3:13
  • and out of weakness he shall be made strong
• Ether 12:37
  • and because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong

But whenever the text refers to weak things being made strong, the Lord is always referred to as the agent:

• 2 Nephi 3:21
  • and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith
• 2 Nephi 33:4 (original text)
  • and the things which I have written in weakness will he make strong unto them
• Ether 12:27
  • then will I make weak things become strong unto them

Thus the original reading in 2 Nephi 33:4 is consistent with usage elsewhere in the text.