3 Nephi 27:28 Textual Variants

Here we have another typo in the 1906 LDS edition; in this instance, the typesetter replaced “the Father” with “my Father”. The 1906 reading was not extended to any subsequent edition since that edition never served as a copytext.

Of course, either reading is theoretically possible here, although elsewhere in the book of 3 Nephi Jesus uses “the Father” much more frequently than “my Father” (123 to 10). Also in the book of 3 Nephi, Jesus refers to himself as going to “the Father” six times (including here in 3 Nephi 27:28) but only once as going to “my Father” (marked below with an asterisk):

• 3 Nephi 17:4 but now I go unto the Father
• * 3 Nephi 18:27 and then I must go unto my Father
• 3 Nephi 18:35 and now I go unto the Father
• 3 Nephi 18:35 because it is expedient that I should go unto the Father
• 3 Nephi 27:28 and now I go unto the Father
• 3 Nephi 28:1 what is it that ye desire of me after that I am gone to the Father
• 3 Nephi 28:4 what will ye that I should do unto you when I am gone unto the Father

Again, each reading is possible, but the is preferred. However, in the text immediately preceding this instance of “the Father” in 3 Nephi 27:28, there is an equal mixture of both types:

• 3 Nephi 27:13 I came into the world to do the will of my Father
• 3 Nephi 27:13 because my Father sent me
• 3 Nephi 27:14 and my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross
• 3 Nephi 27:14 even so should men be lifted up by the Father
• 3 Nephi 27:15 according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me
• 3 Nephi 27:16 him will I hold guiltless before my Father
• 3 Nephi 27:17 because of the justice of the Father
• 3 Nephi 27:26 all things are written by the Father

The sudden increased use of “my Father” seems to have led the 1906 typesetter to make the change to “my Father” here in verse 28. The critical text, as expected, will follow the earliest reading for each case of “the/my Father”, thus “the Father” here in 3 Nephi 27:28.