Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Nephi
578 words
Jacob 79
Mosiah 205
Alma 683
Helaman 104
III Nephi 207
Mormon 60
Ether 75
Moroni 52
Book of Mormon Commentary
Mormon Chapter 4
Dr. McGavin adds this comment:
The various writers of the book are thus individualized by their respective vocabularies. This
personalized feature is complicated by the fact that Mormon abridged the large plates of Nephi
while Moroni abridged the Jaredite history. During their labor as summarizing scribes their
respective vocabularies were sure to overshadow the original writers, as they substituted their own
words for similar words the original writers had used.
"If there be faults, they be faults of man. But behold, we know of no fault" (Mn. 4:21, 22). No
attempt is made here to excuse or to place the blame on others. The writers were not professional,
and it is quite possible that their best efforts would not be good enough. As can be seen there are
many grammatical errors, and some thoughts are crudely expressed. In editorial practice today,
book manuscripts and magazine articles are read by from three to five competent editors before
they are sent to the shop. One editor is not likely to catch all writing faults.
Mormon 4:23 And he that saith, Shew unto me, or ye shall be smitten, let him beware lest he
commandeth that which is forbidden of the Lord.
This also has reference to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith was told by
some that unless he let them see the golden plates they would not believe in his work. They tried
to steal the plates and to harass the translators in all ways possible. But Joseph was commanded by
the Lord not to show the plates, except to the witnesses as the Lord directed (D. and C. 5:3 a-c;
The Story of the Church, Chapter VII, pp. 59-61).
"And he that shall breathe out wrath and strifes against the work of the Lord. ..is in danger to be
hewn down and cast into the fire; for the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his
promises shall be fulfilled" (26). This prophecy was also literally fulfilled. "As the Lord liveth, he
will remember the covenant which he hath made" (28).
THE RECORD WILL COME FORTH,WHEN MIRACLES ARE SAID TO HAVE CEASED, VER.
29-69
Mormon 4:29 And he knoweth their prayers that they were in behalf of their brethren.