Words of Mormon 1:16 Textual Variants

As discussed under 1 Nephi 16:35, the determiner much can occur with plural nouns. There is, for instance, one example of much afflictions in the current LDS text (in Alma 7:5) as well as two in the original text that have been edited to much affliction. There are also examples in the text of the expected much affliction (four of them in the original text) as well as the systematically plural many afflictions (eight of these).

Similarly, we get variation in the original Book of Mormon text with respect to contention(s), with three occurrences of much contention, two of much contentions, and one of many contentions:

• The Words of Mormon 1:16 (much contention in the LDS text since 1920)
  • there having been much contentions and many dissensions
• Mosiah 29:21
  • save it be through much contention and the shedding of much blood
• Helaman 1:18
  • because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government
• Helaman 3:2
  • neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year
• Helaman 3:3 (much contention in the LDS text since 1852)
  • and it came to pass in the forty and sixth year there were much contentions and many dissensions
• 3 Nephi 2:18
  • because of the wickedness of the people of Nephi and their many contentions and dissensions

For additional examples of much occurring with plural nouns, see the discussion under Enos 1:21. The critical text will maintain each instance of the nonstandard “much ” whenever it is supported by the earliest textual sources.