As in the previous discussion regarding “in (the) flesh” in verse 2, one wonders here in verse 3 if the definite article the is missing from the conjunctive phrase “the Father and Son” at the end of the verse. Note that earlier at the end of verse 2, the text reads “the Father and the Son”, with the repetition of the definite article just as it is found elsewhere in the Book of Mormon text in conjuncts of Father and Son (in some cases Holy Ghost is also conjoined):
There is also one example in the three-witness statement: “to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost”. We get the same repetition of the in the biblical text:
We have already seen that occasionally the repeated the has been deleted from conjuncts, as in the example of “the Nephites and the Lamanites”, discussed under Enos 1:24.
Even so, in Mosiah 15:3 “the Father and Son” may be a unique reading. Although the Book of Mormon text does tend to repeat the determiner—and there are many examples where the text has lost the repetition—we must also realize that in certain instances variation is possible. See, for instance, the discussion for each of the following conjunctive expressions:
“the statutes and (the) judgments” 1 Nephi 17:22
“the wickedness and (the) abomination(s)” Mosiah 3:7
“the cunning and (the) craftiness” Mosiah 9:10
(Also see the discussion of this issue under CONJUNCTIVE REPETITION in volume 3.) Since both variation and unique readings are possible, the critical text will accept the earliest reading here in Mosiah 15:3—namely, “thus becoming the Father and Son”. Nonetheless, this reading may be an error for “thus becoming the Father and the Son” since there is considerable evidence that scribes and printers occasionally omitted the repeated the in conjuncts.
Summary: Maintain the earliest reading in Mosiah 15:3 without the repeated the (“the Father and Son”) since this unique reading is possible; even so, this reading may be an error for “the Father and the Son”.