BM-KJV and JE-2 Nephi 31

Annotation of 2 Nephi 31 – preliminary  

2 Nephi 31 is a good example because it shows that a high percentage of its language is also KJV language. Few of the KJV words/phrases are not also found in Edwards, including the so-called "blended" passages.

The blue Book of Mormon words/phrases in the annotation are nonbiblical and also not found in Edwards. In some cases noted below, the nonbiblical language is close to Edwards (e.g., plural instead of singular). There are several examples in the Book of Mormon of paraphrased or misquoted passages from the KJV that are identical to paraphrased or misquoted KJV passages in Edwards' works.

The red words/phrases are nonbiblical Book of Mormon wording that are also found in Edwards' works as available on the Yale database, which includes most but not all of the 1808 edition, as well as material not included in the 1808 edition.

Purple are nonbiblical Book of Mormon words/phrases similar to Edwards.

Naturally, Edwards is not the only person who ever used this nonbiblical Book of Mormon terminology. English is a common language or we couldn't understand one another. But the ready availability of Edwards' works in Palmyra during Joseph's youth indicates that Edwards was a possible source for Joseph's vocabulary that he used when translating the plates.

Bold = KJV 

Blue = nonbiblical BofM/D&C/PGP w/o JE 

Red = nonbiblical BofM/D&C/PGP and JE 

Purple = nonbiblical BofM/D&C/PGP similar to JE

Chapter 31

Nephi tells why Christ was baptized—Men must follow Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end to be saved—Repentance and baptism are the gate to the strait and narrow path—Eternal life comes to those who keep the commandments after baptism. About 559–545 B.C.

1 And now I, Nephi, make an end[1] of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren. And I cannot write but[2] a few things[3], which I know must surely[4] come to pass; neither can I write but a few of the words of my brother Jacob.

2 Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words[5] which I must speak[6] concerning[7] the doctrine of Christ[8]; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly[9], according to the plainness[10] of my prophesying.

3 For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner[11] doth the Lord God work among the children of men[12]. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding[13]; for he speaketh unto men according to their language[14], unto their understanding[15].

4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember[16] that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God[17], which should take away the sins of the world[18].

5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy[19], should have need to be baptized by water[20], to fulfil all righteousness[21], O then, how much more need[22] have we, being unholy[23], to be baptized, yea, even by water[24]!

6 And now, I would ask[25] of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

7 Know ye not that he was holy[26]? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh[27] he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient[28] unto him in keeping his commandments.

8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water[29] the Holy Ghost descended[30] upon him in the form[31] of a dove[32].

9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness[33] of[34] the path, and the narrowness[35] of the gate, by which they should enter[36], he having[37] set the example[38] before them.

10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus[39] save we shall be willing to keep[40] the commandments of the Father[41]?

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name[42] of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son[43] came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will[44] the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things[45] which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son[46], with full purpose[47] of heart, acting no[48] hypocrisy and no[49] deception[50] before God, but with real intent[51], repenting of[52] your sins[53], witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take[54] upon you the name of Christ[55], by baptism—yea, by following[56] your Lord and your Savior down into the water[57], according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost[58]; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire[59] and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels[60], and shout praises[61] unto the Holy One of Israel.

14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented[62] of your sins[63], and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with[64] a new tongue[65], yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better[66] for you that ye had not known me.

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful[67]. He that endureth to the end[68], the same shall be saved[69].

16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man[70] shall endure to the end[71], in following[72] the example[73] of the Son of the living God[74], he cannot be saved.

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause[75] have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which[76] ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and[77] baptism by water; and then cometh a remission[78] of[79] your sins by fire and by[80] the Holy Ghost.

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow[81] path which leads to eternal life[82]; yea, ye have entered in by[83] the gate[84]; ye have done according to[85] the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost[86], which witnesses of the[87] Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling[88] of the promise[89] which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive[90].

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten[91] into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done[92]? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come[93] thus far[94] save it were[95] by the word of Christ[96] with unshaken[97] faith in him, relying wholly[98] upon the merits[99] of him who is mighty to save[100].

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward[101] with a steadfastness[102] in Christ, having a perfect brightness[103] of hope, and a love of God[104] and of all men[105]. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting[106] upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end[107], behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way[108]; and there is none other[109] way[110] nor name given under heaven[111] whereby man[112] can be saved in the[113] kingdom of God[114]. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine[115] of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

(2 Nephi 31–31:21)

[1] OT (9) BM (16) DC (2) JE (40)

[2] “write but” BM (4) JE (3) JE: « I have time to write but very briefly” “I am still so weak that I can write but with a trembling hand” “write, but” NT (1) BM (1)

[3] NT (4) BM (2) DC (3) JE (20) JE : « Cant have in actual view but a few things at the same moment”

[4] BM (9) JE (8) JE : « yet Adam did not understand it so, but took it that he personally must surely die.” “if you Go on in this way You must surely fall a victim to die Gods Eternal wrath that will triumph over all your selfrighteousness and all your strivings, and Quarrellings against the most high.”

[5] NT (1) BM (6) DC (6) JE (40)

[6] BM (5) [1-2 Nephi, Jacob 3 Nephi]

[7] « speak concerning » OT (2) NT (1) BM (7) DC (1) JE (15)

[8] NT (3) BM (7) JE (12)

[9] OT (6) NT (5) BM (13) DC (5) PGP (1) JE (100s)

[10] NT (1) BM (15) DC (1) JE (60) JE: « he hath declared with great plainness of speech a future state of rewards and punishments, as is most rational and agreeable to the nature of true religion and virtue, and tending most properly to promote these things, according to what is taught by the reason of mankind in its best improvement”

[11] OT (11) NT (5) BM (34) DC (2) JE (100)

[12] OT (23) BM (131) DC (39) PGP (15) JE (130)

[13] OT (3) NT (5) BM (7) DC (3) JE (100s) JE : « Now there are many affections which don't arise from any light in the understanding”

[14] OT (1) BM (1) OT: “unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.” (Esther 8:9)

[15] NT (1) BM (1) DC (3) JE (40)

[16] NT (1) BM (21) JE (15)

[17] NT (2) BM (35) DC (1) JE (60)

[18] BM (4) JE (1) JE: “'Tis the Lamb of God alone that can take away the sins of the world , and it is the Lion of the tribe of Judah alone that is strong enough to work our way through to everlasting happiness” Compare: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

[19] BM (2) JE (20) JE: “that God, being holy and delighting in holiness and hating iniquity”

[20] BM (2) DC (2) Note: NT, BM and JE “baptized with water”

[21] NT (1) BM (2) « fulfill »JE (6) JE : «  And therefore Chirst, being a Jew, was subject to this command, and therefore when he came to be baptized of John, and John objected that he had more need to come to him be baptized of him, he gives this reason for it: that it was needful that he should do it that he might fulfill all righteousness , Matthew 3:13–15

[22] BM (1) JE (75) JE: “you had much more need” “we stand in more need of the continuance of our spiritual food, of having that bestowed from day to day, and much more than our outward food. “

[23] BM (1) JE (2) JE: “how dark it looked, to think of being unholy forever!”

[24] BM (1) DC (1)

[25] BM (6) JE (50) JE : « I would ask what law these imperfections of our obedience are a breach of?” “I would ask if it be so that such things as these are the fruits of enthusiasm”

[26] BM (1) JE (4) JE : « He was holy , harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; yet he was charged with being a friend of publicans and sinners.”

[27] NT (7) BM (12) DC (1) JE (40)

[28] OT (5) NT (3) BM () DC (3) JE (25)

[29] NT (2) BM (4) JE (2)

[30] NT (1) BM (1) DC (1) JE (6)

[31] “in the form” NT (1) BM (4) DC (2) PGP (1) JE (100)

[32] “form of a dove” BM (2) DC (1) PGP (1)

[33] OT (5) BM (1) JE (12)

[34] “straitness of” BM (1) JE (10) JE: “as a consequence of the general circumstances of the way to life, and the way to destruction, the broadness of the one, and narrowness of the other. In the straitness of the gate, etc.” These two things are the great things wherein the straitness of the gate and the narrowness of the way that leads to life consist.” “the straitness of the paths of duty more manifested” “now God has made known our duty more fully, and shown us the straitness of the path of duty”

[35] BM (1) JE (20) JE: “Herein chiefly consists the straightness of the gate, and the narrowness of the way that leads to life” “You would have passed the greatest narrowness of the passage, where it pinches most. “

[36] BM (1) JE (5) JE : « that through tribulation they should enter into the kingdom of heaven”

[37] BM (8) JE (30)

[38] BM (1)

[39] BM (1) JE (2)

[40] BM (2) JE (1)

[41] BM (2)

[42] NT (4) BM (6) DC (2) PGP (1) JE (14)

[43] NT (1) BM (2) DC (1) JE (14)

[44] OT (3) NT (1) BM (3) JE (15)

[45] NT (2) BM (3) DC (3) JE (10)

[46] BM (1)

[47] BM (6) DC (3) JE (4) JE: “The most of those who have been thought to be converted, continue to give evidences of their being new creatures, and seem to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart”

[48] BM (1)

[49] “no deception” BM (1)

[50] BM (1) PGP (3) JE (12) JE: “Thus one deception rests for justification upon the other.”

[51] BM (5) JE (1) JE: “it was evident the real intent and design of them was to establish the covenant of grace, and that only. “

[52] BM (1) JE (10) JE : «  from time to time, embracing and practicing true religion, and repenting of sin, and turning to holiness”

[53] “repenting of your sins” BM (1)

[54] BM (3) DC (2) JE (35) JE : «  I should be willing to take upon me the work of a president”

[55] NT (2) BM (23) DC (3) PGP (1) JE (70)

[56] OT (1) BM (2) JE (15) JE: “The disciples had the comfort of Christ's presence and conversation by following him”

[57] BM (2) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (1) JE : «  let them down into the water”

[58] NT (2) BM (4) DC (6) PGP (1) JE (3)

[59] BM (2) DC (3)

[60] BM (4)

[61] BM (1)

[62] NT (1) BM (5) JE (14)

[63] “repented of your sins” BM (1) JE (1) JE: “If you had this assurance that you when had seasonably Repented of your sins and trusted in the blood”

[64] BM (1)

[65] BM (1) JE (2) JE: “He don't only put on a new head, and new eyes, and a new tongue , but new heads and new feet, and all the members are new.”

[66] BM (2) JE (20) JE: “It would have been better for 'em that they never had had 'em, for they are now set remoter from salvation than they were before: “ paraphrasing: 'It would have been better for him if he had never been born,' Matthew 26:24. “it had been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24)

“good were it for that man if he had never been born.” (Mark 14:21)

[67] OT (1) NT (1) BM (1) DC (5) JE (12) NT/JE : « And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5)

[68] NT (1) BM (7) JE (5)

[69] « the same shall be saved” NT (2) BM (5) DC (1) PGP (2) JE (5); "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved" BM (1) JE (3), JE “so it is Math 24. 10. 22. he that Endureth to the End the same shall be saved” paraphrasing “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”  (Matthew 24:13) “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mark 13:13)

[70] BM (1) JE (5)

[71] BM (8) DC (2) JE (8) JE : paraphrasing « Matthew 10:22, "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure to the end , shall be saved." Cf “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

[72] OT (2) BM (1) JE (18)

[73] NT (1) BM (5) JE (100) JE « they may appear to follow the example of Jesus Christ”

[74] NT (2) BM (4) DC (5) JE (20)

[75] OT (3) NT (23) BM (27) DC (19) PGP (2) JE (40)

[76] BM (2) JE (2) JE : «  here is the Gate by which we Enter into life”

[77] « repentance and baptism » BM (2) DC (1)

[78] NT (10) BM (28) DC (19) PGP (3) JE (170)

[79] “a remission of” BM (18) DC (3)

[80] OT (1) BM (4) JE (3)

[81] BM (4) JE (5) JE : « There are but two paths, one of which you are to travel in, either the strait and narrow way that leads to life, or the broad way to destruction.” “Matthew 7:14(a). "The entrance into eternal life is a strait and narrow passage."”

[82] BM (1) JE (1) JE : « we Are told that the Gate is strait and the way narrow yt Leads to Eternal life”

[83] “entered in by” OT (1) BM (3)

[84] “by the gate” OT (8) BM (2) JE 4)

[85] OT (5) BM (7) DC (6) JE (20)

[86] NT (3) BM (2) JE (5)

[87] BM (2) DC (2) JE (7) JE : « or else how can believers be said to be witnesses of the truth and faithfulness of God in so doing”

[88] NT (1) BM (26) JE (50) NT: “the fulfilling of the law” JE: “ If it be said, that a man must go on in making a good improvement of it, waiting for the fulfilling of the promise in God's time;”

[89] « fulfilling of the promise » BM (1) JE (1) JE: “If it be said, that a man must go on in making a good improvement of it, waiting for the fulfilling of the promise in God's time; I answer, that I believe”

[90] OT (1) NT (1) BM (3) DC (3) JE (60)

[91] OT (5) BM (1) PGP (1) JE (16)

[92] BM (1) JE (10) JE : « All is done by the price that Christ laid down.”

[93] OT (1) BM (4) DC (1) JE (2)

[94] OT (2) NT (1) BM (7) DC (2) JE (60)

[95] BM (76) DC (1) PGP (1) « except it were” NT (2) BM (13) JE (4) BM (Mos, Alma, Hel)

[96] NT (1) BM (6) JE (20)

[97] BM (4) JE (9) JE: “since that resignation forementioned about three years ago, an uninterrupted entire resignation to God with respect to life or death, sickness or health, ease or pain, which has remained unchanged and unshaken, when actually under extreme and violent pains, and in times of threatenings of immediate death”

[98] BM (1) JE: “my soul seemed to rely wholly upon God” “he is very diffident of himself, and it is his disposition to rely on God, and he with delight casts himself wholly on God.”

[99] BM (4) DC (1) JE (35) JE: “God will offer them no more the merits of the sufferings of Christ and his blood, to purge and wash them from their sin.” “If it has something of worthiness in itself, then that worthiness is not from the merits of Christ; if it has nothing in itself, then the whole of its worthiness is in the merits of Christ and none in sincere obedience, which is the same contention we are now making.” “That incense is a type of the merits of Jesus Christ.”

[100] OT (1) BM (3) DC (1) JE (6)

[101] BM (4) JE (50) JE: “While others press forward in the straight and narrow way to life, towards Zion, and laboriously travel up the hill against the inclination and tendency of the flesh, these run with a swift career down towards the valley of eternal death, towards the lake of fire, towards the bottomless pit. “

[102] NT (2) BM (4) DC (2) JE (90)

[103] Bm (1) JE (3) JE: “this excellent light shall shine with perfect brightness upon your soul to all eternity without any interruption”

[104] NT (13) BM (9) JE (100s)

[105] “love of God and” BM (1) JE (20) JE: “The law of liberty is the law of love, the love of God and man, called "the royal law" (James 2:8)” the love of God and our neighbour is the fulfilling of the Law”

[106] OT (7) BM (2) JE (65)

[107] BM (8) DC (2) JE (8) JE: “Matthew 24:12–13. "And because inquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Which latter words plainly show, that those spoken of before, whose love should not endure to the end , but wax cold, should not be saved.”

[108] OT (1) BM (1) DC (3) JE (100+)

[109] OT (4) NT (9) BM (13) DC (8) PGP (1) JE (40)

[110] “none other way” BM (2)

[111] BM (2) PGP (1) JE (6) JE: “There is no other name given under heaven whereby you could have been saved; you could have gone nowhere else but only where you did go.” “There is none that can offer any satisfaction but he alone, neither is their salvation in any other, and there is no other name given under heaven amongst men whereby we must be saved.” Paraphrasing: “the one sole name given under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12)” “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

[112] BM (6) DC (1) JE (3) JE: “He had life given him by God's breathing into him the breath of life, whereby man became a living soul”

[113] OT (1) NT (1) BM (10) DC (4) JE (7)

[114] “saved in the kingdom of God” BM (9) DC (2)

[115] Bm (1) JE (3) JE: “when it shall come to that in the latter days, that the ministers of the gospel shall generally be united in preaching the true doctrine of the gospel”