Alma 34:16 Textual Variants

Here the original manuscript does not have the third person singular -s ending for encircle —that is, the verb form in 𝓞 is the infinitive. Thus the modal verb can here in Alma 34:16 conjoins two infinitives, satisfy and encircle, giving the equivalent reading “mercy can satisfy the demands of justice and [can] encircle them in the arms of safety”.

When copying to the printer’s manuscript, Oliver Cowdery added the -s ending (perhaps accidentally), with the result that can satisfy is now conjoined with encircles. This usage is not consistent with the rest of the Book of Mormon text. In every instance of can followed by conjoined verbs, the second verb is an infinitive just like the first one. In the following I give every example besides the one here in Alma 34:16 and mark with an asterisk those examples for which the second verb clearly takes the infinitive form. The other examples are ambiguous as far as the form goes, but from a semantic point of view they are all infinitives (that is, the scope of the modal verb can includes the conjoined verb):

• 2 Nephi 31:13 (and shout is not equivalent to “and then do ye shout”)
  • and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel
• Mosiah 8:13 (and translate is not equivalent to “and he translates”)
  • for he hath wherewith that he can look and translate all records that are of ancient date
• Alma 5:17
  • that ye can lie unto the Lord at that day and say Lord / our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth
• * Alma 5:53 (and trample is not equivalent to “and do ye trample”)
  • yea can ye lay aside these things and trample the Holy One under your feet
• Alma 26:31
  • we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors
• * Helaman 14:31 (and be restored is not equivalent to “and ye are restored”)
  • and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good
• Helaman 14:31
  • or ye can do evil and have that which is evil restored unto you
• 3 Nephi 27:32
  • and which thieves can break through and steal

The critical text will restore the correct infinitive form encircle, the reading in 𝓞, in Alma 34:16. Correspondingly, in the standard text the comma that occurs after justice should be removed so that the conjunctive connection between the two infinite forms satisfy and encircle is more apparent.