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Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 1
Moroni, the last of the Nephites to handle the plates, in referring to the language used says, "We
have written, in the characters, which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed
down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech." He explains that they did not write in
Hebrew for the sake of brevity, and then adds, "but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also" and
declares "none other people knoweth our language," which necessitated the use of the Urim and
Thummim for translation of the Book of Mormon (Mn. 4:98-100).
Nephi ...said he was writing "in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the
Jews and the language of the Egyptians." Notice he does not say reformed Egyptian but the
language of the Egyptians. The "alterations" gradually developed through usage throughout the
centuries.
Many scholars think that the exodus occurred in 1491 B.C. This was nine hundred years before
Lehi left Jerusalem. At this later date only cultured Jews would study the Egyptian and be able to
keep the records. Enos says, "My father taught me in his language" (En. 1:1).
Mosiah, Helorum, and Helaman, sons of King Benjamin, were tutored in this cultured language by
direction of their father. "And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his
fathers ...that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths
of their fathers ...and he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the
plates of brass" (Mos. 1:3,4).
Self-consciousness born of writing a language learned with difficulty is indicated in Moroni's
words, "When we write, we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our
words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words" (E. 5:26).
The "placing" of their words in the "altered" Egyptian evidently was different than it was in
Hebrew, which made them self-conscious because they knew it was not done correctly. That they
had lapsed into the word arrangement of the Hebrew language is suggested in Joseph Smith's
statement concerning the last leaf of the plates which he translated. He makes a statement
concerning the title page (See 'The Title Page," p. 34) and refers to the "language of the whole
running the same as all Hebrew writing in general." (See Church History, Vol. 1, p. 74). Hebrew,
of course, runs from right to left. Mormon himself claimed the use of only the Egyptian characters
(Mn. 4:98). Thus, it seems they may actually have been using the Egyptian characters, but Hebrew
placement of words, as part of the changes which the Egyptian language underwent throughout the
centuries, especially by those who made their final entries upon the plates.
It would have been much easier for them to have written in their spoken language, the "altered"
Hebrew, in which Moroni says, "Ye would have had no imperfections in our record" (Mn. 4:99),
but their plates were not large enough, and they were evidently acting in obedience to God's
instructions.
1 Ne 1:2 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I
make it according to my knowledge.
1:2 Nephi bears a strong testimony so that those who read might not doubt. He writes of the
incidents and experiences which he had passed through. It was not hearsay evidence.
LEHI'S PROPHEIC CALLING AND VISION, VER. 3-14