Mormon 6:2 Textual Variants

In the last clause, the original text had the modal auxiliary would, but in the 1852 LDS edition would was replaced by could (probably accidentally). The use of would actually reads better (could sounds too conditional, would is more decisive). The use of would is also consistent with the earlier use of would in this verse, “that he would grant unto us”. Here are two other examples of negotiations where a proposal involves a sequence of would ’s:

• 1 Nephi 3:24
  • and it came to pass that we went in unto Laban and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass for which we would give unto him our gold and our silver and all our precious things
• 1 Nephi 4:32
  • and it came to pass that I spake with him that if he would hearken unto my words as the Lord liveth and as I live even so that if he would hearken unto our words we would spare his life

The critical text will restore the original use of would in Mormon 6:2. For more examples of textual variation between would and could, see under 3 Nephi 3:15.