Alma 43:8 Textual Variants

Here the 1830 typesetter accidentally omitted the clause-initial and. Elsewhere in the text “this he did” or “this they did” (with sometimes done rather than did in the original text) is always preceded by a connector of some sort, either the conjunction and (11 times) or the transitional now (once):

• Jacob 7:2 and this he done that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ
• Mosiah 7:22 and all this he done for the sole purpose of …
• Mosiah 21:17 and this they did because of the greatness of their number
• Mosiah 22:1 and this they did that they might have the voice of the people
• Mosiah 28:12 and this he done because of the great anxiety of his people
• Mosiah 29:41 and this they done throughout all the land
• Alma 1:16 and this they did for the sake of riches and honor
• Alma 2:10 and this he done that he might subject them to him
• Alma 4:19 and this he did that he himself might go forth among his people
• Alma 17:7 and this they done that they might provide food for themselves
• Alma 24:18 and this they did / vouching and covenanting with God that …
• Alma 43:7 now this he done that he might preserve their hatred

There is also one example of “this they did do”, and it too is preceded by and:

• 3 Nephi 11:15 and this they did do / going forth one by one

Without the transitional element, the clause in the current text for Alma 43:8 begins too abruptly for the characteristically connected style of the Book of Mormon. The critical text will restore the original and here. (For discussion of the simple past-tense form done, see under Jacob 5:10 or, more generally, under past tense in volume 3.)