Alma 37:37 Textual Variants

The 1830 typesetter accidentally omitted the word always in this passage. The use of always helps to support the necessity of being righteous continually. Moreover, the previous text strongly emphasizes the need for constant devotion to the Lord, in every way and at all times and in all places:

• Alma 37:36–37
  • yea and cry unto God for all thy support yea let all thy doings be unto the Lord and whithersoever thou goest / let it be in the Lord yea let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord yea let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever counsel the Lord in all thy doings and he will direct thee for good

The text is then followed by an admonition to pray every day, both morning and night:

• Alma 37:37
  • yea when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord that he may watch over you in your sleep and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God

And finally, the text concludes with this summarizing statement: “and if ye always do these things / ye shall be lifted up at the last day”. The original text here is further supported by the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 18:12: “and if ye shall always do these things / blessed are ye”.

None of the more recent LDS or RLDS editions have supplied the always. As discussed above regarding verse 36, the 1981 LDS edition, by reference to 𝓞, supplied the all in “yea let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord”. And in general, 𝓟 was consulted in preparing the 1908 RLDS edition. Here in verse 37, always is extant in both 𝓞 and 𝓟 yet has never been added to either the LDS or RLDS text.