Redaction: This verse presents the interesting textual phrase: “were permitted, or rather commanded.” The second phrase, “or rather commanded,” interprets the first, “were permitted.” The connotations of the two phrases are sufficiently different that they make unlikely companions—nor are they literary parallels. I suggest that the second phrase was added by someone commenting on the ironic possibilities of the first.
The two candidates for the person who added that phrase are Mormon and Joseph Smith. While an argument might be made for either, Mormon seems more likely to me. This verse is description, rather than quotation; it is the kind of text that Mormon has digested from the source documents before him. As one familiar with the prerogatives of kings, Mormon would also be in a better position than Joseph to understand the irony of the official version—“permitted.” As I have already pointed out, Mormon tends to quote dialogue but create descriptive summaries. Because this particular word appears in Limhi’s opening statement (v. 11), Mormon almost certainly quotes it but could not resist the editorial insertion.
As a side note, this entry also provides confirmation of what we have probably already assumed: that even in his abridgment, Mormon is faithful to his sources. Because we cannot compare his version with the original, such details as this are our best indicator of Mormon’s close reliance on the texts he is abridging.