Omni 1:9 Textual Variants

In this passage Oliver Cowdery initially wrote records in 𝓟, then erased the plural s. Enough of the s remained, however, that the 1830 typesetter read the word as still having its plural s. Thus all printed editions continue to have the plural records. Since Oliver erased the plural s, the change was immediate; the singular record undoubtedly represents the reading of the original manuscript (which is no longer extant here).

The phrase “keep the record(s)” can have two possible interpretations—either as physically taking care of the record(s) or as writing the record(s). In most instances, either interpretation is possible. And of course, the record keeper usually did both tasks. Oftentimes the singular record is used when the writer is referring to the writing of the history of a people. In the case of Omni 1:9, the writer seems to be referring to the small plates of Nephi, a single record that their forefathers (Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, and Omni) had commanded them to keep.

In the original text, when the text refers to “keeping the record(s)”, there are 13 occurrences of the singular record and 6 of the plural records:

• 1 Nephi 5:16 wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records
• 1 Nephi 6:1 for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father
• 2 Nephi 5:29 and I Nephi had kept the records upon my plates
• Jacob 7:26 and the record of this people being kept on the other plates …
• Omni 1:9 and after this manner we keep the record
• Mosiah 24:6 but they taught them that they should keep their record
• Mosiah 28:20 and also keep a record of the people
• Alma 3:12 and it is they which have kept the records
• Alma 37:2 and I also command you that ye shall keep a record of this people
• Alma 44:24 according to the record of Helaman which he kept in his days
• Alma 45:2 concerning those records which have been kept
• Helaman 3:13 and now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this people
• 3 Nephi 1:2 concerning the plates of brass and all the records which had been kept
• 3 Nephi 1:3 and his son Nephi did keep the record in his stead
• 3 Nephi 8:1 it was a just man which did keep the record
• 3 Nephi 23:7 bring forth the record which ye have kept
• 4 Nephi 1:19 Nephi he that kept this last record ... died
• 4 Nephi 1:21 and his son Amos kept the record in his stead
• 4 Nephi 1:47 and his brother Ammaron did keep the record in his stead

The example in 3 Nephi 1:3 of the singular record reads in the plural in the LDS text, but the earliest textual evidence supports the singular record. For discussion, see under 3 Nephi 1:3.