Alma 38:10 Textual Variants

Spacing between extant portions of the original manuscript here in Alma 38:10 suggests that the original manuscript may have read “the word of God” (whereas “the word of Christ” would perhaps be too long to fit appropriately). Even so, the prepositional phrase of God could have been crossed out. And, of course, there could have been some other correction in the text that could be responsible for the difference in length.

As explained under Alma 17:8, either reading (“the word of God” or “the word”) is possible. More specifically, we find that with the verb teach, both possibilities occur (although “teach the word of God” is more frequent):

• Jacob 1:19 if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence
• Mosiah 26:38 teaching the word of God in all things
• Alma 17:4 and they had been teaching the word of God
• Alma 23:4 and to teach the word of God among them
• Alma 38:15 and teach the word unto this people
• Helaman 5:14 to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi
• Helaman 16:21 for we depend upon them for to teach us the word

Note that Alma 38:15, which contains the instance nearest to Alma 38:10, lacks the of God. Moreover, Alma also commands each of his other sons to “declare the word”:

• Alma 37:47 (to Helaman)
  • go unto this people and declare the word and be sober
• Alma 42:31 (to Corianton)
  • go thy way declare the word with truth and soberness

The critical text will follow the earliest extant reading (in 𝓟) for Alma 38:10, without the postmodifying of God: “and now as ye have begun to teach the word”.