Embedded Files
Annotation of Alma 42 – preliminary
Alma 42 is a good example because it shows that a high percentage of Joseph Smith’s 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 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 and D&C 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 wording that are also found in Edwards' works.
Purple are biblical or nonbiblical 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 and receiving revelations. Passages with the Lord’s personal pronouns obviously are not usually found in Edwards.
Bold = KJV
Blue = nonbiblical BofM/D&C w/o JE (If unique to this instance, no footnote is given)
Red = nonbiblical BofM/D&C and JE
Purple = biblical/nonbiblical BofM/D&C similar to JE
Chapter 42
Mortality is a probationary time to enable man to repent and serve God—The Fall brought temporal and spiritual death upon all mankind—Redemption comes through repentance—God Himself atones for the sins of the world—Mercy is for those who repent—All others are subject to God’s justice—Mercy comes because of the Atonement—Only the truly penitent are saved. About 74 B.C.
1 And now, my son, I perceive[1] there is somewhat more[2] which doth worry[3] your mind, which ye cannot understand[4]—which is concerning the justice of God[5] in the punishment of the sinner[6]; for ye do try to suppose[7] that it is injustice[8] that the sinner should be consigned[9] to a state of misery[10].
2 Now behold, my son, I will explain[11] this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Lord God sent our first parents[12] forth from the garden of Eden[13], to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, he drew out the man[14], and he placed at the east end[15] of the garden of Eden, cherubim[16], and a flaming sword[17] which turned every way, to keep the tree of life[18]—
3 Now, we see that the man had become as God[19], knowing good and evil[20]; and lest he should put forth his hand[21], and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever[22], the Lord God placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit[23]—
4 And thus we see, that there was a time granted[24] unto man to repent, yea, a probationary[25] time[26], a time to repent[27] and serve God.
5 For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken[28] of the tree of life[29], he would have lived forever[30], according to the word of God[31], having no space for repentance[32]; yea, and also the word of God would have been[33] void[34], and the great[35] plan[36] of[37] salvation[38] would have been frustrated[39].
6 But behold, it was appointed[40] unto man to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the[41] tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth[42]—and man became lost forever[43], yea, they became fallen man[44].
7 And now, ye see by this[45] that our first parents were cut off both temporally[46] and spiritually[47] from the presence of the Lord[48]; and thus we see they became subjects[49] to follow after[50] their own will[51].
8 Now behold, it was not expedient[52] that man should be reclaimed[53] from this temporal death[54], for that would destroy[55] the great plan of happiness[56].
9 Therefore, as the soul could never die[57], and the fall had brought upon[58] all mankind[59] a spiritual death[60] as well as a temporal[61], that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death.
10 Therefore, as they had become carnal[62], sensual[63], and devilish[64], by nature[65], this probationary state[66] became a state for them to prepare[67]; it became a preparatory[68] state.
11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption[69], (laying it aside[70]) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable[71], being cut off from the presence of the Lord.
12 And now, there was no means[72] to reclaim[73] men from this fallen state[74], which man had brought upon himself[75] because of his own[76] disobedience[77];
13 Therefore, according to justice[78], the plan of redemption could not be brought about[79], only on conditions[80] of repentance[81] of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were[82] for these[83] conditions[84], mercy could not take effect[85] except it should[86] destroy the work of justice[87]. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed[88]; if so, God would cease[89] to be God.
14 And thus we see[90] that all mankind[91] were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice[92]; yea, the justice of God[93], which consigned[94] them forever to be cut off from his presence[95].
15 And now, the plan of mercy[96] could not be brought about except an atonement should be made[97]; therefore God himself[98] atoneth for the sins of the world[99], to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease[100] the demands of justice[101], that God might be a perfect, just God[102], and a merciful God[103] also.
16 Now, repentance could not come[104] unto men except there were a punishment[105], which also was eternal as the life of the soul[106] should be, affixed[107] opposite to[108] the plan of happiness, which was as eternal[109] also as the life of the soul.
17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?
18 Now, there was a punishment affixed[110], and a just law[111] given, which brought remorse[112] of conscience[113] unto man.
19 Now, if there was no law[114] given[115]—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
20 And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin[116].
21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim[117] upon the creature?
22 But there is a law given[118], and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted[119]; which repentance, mercy claimeth[120]; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment[121]; if not so, the works of justice[122] would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God[123].
23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent[124], and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead[125]; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God[126]; and thus they are restored[127] into his presence, to be judged according to their works[128], according to the law[129] and justice.
24 For behold, justice exerciseth[130] all his demands[131], and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent[132] are saved.
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice[133]? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit[134]. If so, God would cease to be God.
26 And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal[135] purposes[136], which were prepared from the foundation of the world[137]. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men[138], and also their destruction and misery[139].
27 Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come[140] may come and partake of the waters of life[141] freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled[142] to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds[143].
28 If he has desired to do evil[144], and has not repented in his days[145], behold, evil shall be done[146] unto him, according to the restoration of God[147].
29 And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you[148] no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down[149] unto repentance.
30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor[150] to excuse yourself[151] in the least[152] point[153] because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway[154] in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust[155] in humility.
31 And now, O my son, ye are called of God[156] to preach the word[157] unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word[158] with truth and soberness[159], that thou mayest bring souls[160] unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim[161] upon them. And may God grant[162] unto you even according to my words. Amen.
(Alma 42–42:31)
[1] OT (4) NT (7) BM (17) JE (44)
[2] NT (1) BM (6) JE (2)
[3] BM (1) JE (8) JE: “As long as it is so, there will unavoidably be a dreadful confusion and perturbation in the mind; the soul will be full of worry , perplexities, uneasinesses, storms and frights”
[4] OT (2) BM (6) DC (2) JE (15)
[5] BM (12) DC (1) JE (100+) JE: “none that are thus punished have any reason to complain of the justice of God because of his decree. And if they deserve punishment for their sins, they don't deserve it the less because others are not punished, but are pardoned.” “they will be condemned to that punishment which they have justly deserved. And the justice of God in condemning them will be then made most evident.” “'tis requisite that sin should be punished, as punishment is deserved and just, therefore the justice of God obliges him to punish sin:”
[6] BM (1)
[7] BM (1)
[8] OT (1) BM (2) DC (2) JE (200+)
[9] BM (9) JE (2)
[10] BM (3) JE (20) JE: “and gladly would they return into hell, into their former state of misery , to hide themselves from this awful sight, if that might excuse them. And so those sinners in Zion that shall then be found alive on the earth, when they see this sight, will be surprised with fearfulness.”
[11] BM (4) DC (1) JE (200+)
[12] BM (13) JE (150) cf Genesis 3:23 JE: “The devil being miserable himself envied mankind that happiness which they had, and couid not bear to see our first parents in their happy state in Eden, and therefore exerted himself to the utmost to ruin them, and accomplished it” “we have an account of the beginning of the execution of the curse upon our first parents : "Therefore the Lord God cast him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground whence he was taken" Genesis 3:23
[13] OT (5) BM (5) DC (1) PGP (8) JE (30)
[14] BM (1)
[15] OT (2) BM (1) Note: Only BM says “east end of the garden of Eden”
[16] BM (3) PGP (1) JE (20) Note: Gen 3 :24 uses « Cherubims » JE : « Figures that were made in the tabernacle and temple were called cherubim , the same name by which angels are called in the Old Testament,”
[17] OT (1) BM (3) PGP (1) JE (35) JE : « why was not there need of cherubims and a flaming sword before, to keep Adam from the tree before he fell”
[18] OT (1) Gen 3:24 Alma 42:2, Moses 4:31 Cf JE: "Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" [Genesis 3:5], it is evident that by the word ELOHIM a plurality of persons in the Godhead is signified. “ “However the way to the tree of life was guarded and defended by a flaming sword , the sword of God's wrath and vindication, yet now there is no such thing. We have it proclaimed to us that the way to the tree of life is open and free. There is nothing that will hurt us in our coming to it.”
[19] BM (1) JE (1) JE, quoting Bedford: “When therefore God saith, 'The man is become as one of us,' the meaning is this: he is become as God , for he hints at the promise that the serpent had made, which was a likeness to God”
[20] OT (1) BM (2) PGP (1) JE (8)
[21] BM (1) “lest he put forth his hand” OT (1) PGP (1) JE (1) Note - JE: “we are told that after the fall God placed cherubims and a flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life, lest the man should put forth his hand”
[22] BM (1) PGP (1) JE (2) “eat and live for ever” OT (1)
[23] BM (9) JE (1) “partake” BM (27) DC (10) PGP (1) JE (200+)
[24] BM (1)
[25] BM (4) JE (8) JE: “seeing an end will be put to the present, probationary state of the whole world of mankind that shall then be alive at once, their judgment of course will be at once”
[26] “probationary time” BM (1)
[27] BM (2) JE (1) JE: “he acts like a fool that acts so as he expects to at the same time to Repent of it”
[28] BM ()5) JE (2)
[29] “partaken of the tree of life “ BM (2)
[30] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “they would have lived forever“
[31] OT (4) NT (45) BM (99) DC (1) PGP (2) JE (200+)
[32] BM (1) NT: “I gave her space to repent” (Revelation 2:21) JE: “whatever we can say as flattering ourselves that we shall have a longer time and space to repent in” “no room is left for a state of trial, and a space to repent before that time”
[33] “been void” BM (3)
[34] OT (20) NT (4) BM (3) DC (2) PGP (2) JE (200)
[35] “great plan” BM (7)
[36] BM (42) DC (3) PGP (2) JE (150)
[37] “plan of” BM (33) PGP (1) JE (40)
[38] “plan of salvation” BM (3) PGP (1)
[39] BM (3) DC (2) JE (90) JE: “it would have frustrated , or rendered useless the grace of God” “not finally suffer this work of his to be frustrated and rendered abortive by Satan's crafty management”
[40] BM (2) JE (15) JE: “as it was appointed unto man” “It was appointed that they should stumble at this word”
[41] OT (8) BM (15) DC (1) JE (30)
[42] “cut off from the earth” OT (2) JE (3) “face of the earth” OT (28) NT (1) BM (49) DC (6) PGP (6) JE (200)
[43] BM (1) JE (10) JE: “the whole race of mankind are lost forever”
[44] BM (1) DC (1) JE (100+) JE: “This terrible anger of God towards fallen man is well represented by the emblem of a flaming sword in our text, and it being such would effectually prevent man's any way coming at the tree of life”
[45] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “because we see by this description many of those laws of Moses are actually set aside”
[46] BM (5) DC (2) JE (6) JE: “be put out of all possibility of ever dying either eternally or temporally”
[47] NT (3) BM (7) DC (3) PGP (2) JE (200+)
[48] OT (13) NT (2) BM (21) DC (2) PGP (2) JE (30)
[49] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “as they by God's ordering became subjects of a typical representation of a divine thing”
[50] OT (6) NT (6) BM (4) DC (1) JE (50)
[51] OT (4) NT (6) BM (4) DC (4) JE (100)
[52] NT (7) BM (62) DC (44) JE (90)
[53] BM (2) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (20) JE: « Such persons, above all men, are like to be the most hardened and abandoned, and most difficultly reclaimed”
[54] BM (7) DC (1) JE (100+) JE: “And if multitudes of Eve's posterity are saved, from either spiritual or temporal death , by a Redeemer, of her seed, how is that any disappointment of Satan's design, in tempting our first parents?”
[55] OT (2) BM (1) JE (5)
[56] “happiness” BM (30) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (200+)
[57] NT (1) BM (2) JE (50) JE: “'tis impossible, that the soul, wherein it is, should sink and perish: ''tis an immortal seed; 'tis eternal life begun; and therefore, they that have it, can never die.”
[58] OT (10) BM (6) PGP (1) JE (100) JE : « Learn the manifold mischief that the fall has brought upon mankind.”
[59] OT (1) BM (20) DC (1) PGP (3) JE (200+)
[60] BM (8) JE (30) JE: “He who has no religious affection, is in a state of spiritual death.”
[61] NT (1) BM (22) DC (18) PGP (2) JE (200+)
[62] NT (11) BM (15) DC (5) PGP (2) JE (200+)
[63] NT (2) BM (2) DC (2) PGP (2) JE (200+)
[64] NT (1) BM (6) DC (1) PGP (2) JE (60) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (James 3:15) JE: “
[65] NT (6) BM (2) JE (400)
[66] BM (3) JE (5) JE: “And seeing an end will be put to the present, probationary state of the whole world of mankind”
[67] BM (1) DC (1) JE (3)
[68] BM (4) DC (2) JE (100+) JE: “Before things were in a kind of preparatory state, but now they are in a finishing state. 'Tis the winding up of things that is all this while accomplishing. An end is now brought to the former carnal worldly state of things, which by degrees vanishes, and a spiritual state begins to be established… The state of things that the church was in before was a progressive and preparatory state, but now she is arrived in her most perfect state of glory. “
[69] BM (17) JE (1) JE (Brainerd): “I saw more of God in the wisdom discovered in the plan of man's redemption than I saw of any other of his perfections” Note: JE often wrote of the “work of redemption” instead.
[70] BM (1) Not in KJV. Variations in JE: “lay it aside” (4) “laid it aside” (1) JE: “However pleasant any practice or the gratification of any appetite may be, we must lay it aside , cast it away, if it be any hindrance, any stumbling block, in the way to heaven.”
[71] OT (1) NT (2) BM (6) JE (200+) JE : « Who will say that the happy souls above do not love happiness, as well as the miserable souls in hell?” “the Work of Redemption is carried on in all ages from the fall of man to the end of the world. The work of God in converting souls, opening blind eyes, and unstopping deaf [ears], and raising dead souls to life, and rescuing the miserable captured souls of men out of the hands of Satan, was begun soon after the fall of man…”
[72] OT (2) NT (1) BM (2) JE (200+)
[73] BM (5) JE (80) JE : « Revelation 22:10–11, "He that is unjust, let him [be] unjust still"; as much as to say, "Henceforward no more revelations are to [be] expected from me: no more means of grace, no more means to reclaim men from sin.”
[74] BM (7) JE (50)
[75] BM (2) JE (2) JE: “the curse that she brought upon herself” “And the curse that he brought upon himself by it was…” “Yet he Pitied man so under the misery had brought Upon himself by his Rebellion”
[76] “own disobedience » BM (1) JE (1) “they had no certain promise that they should not suffer also by their own disobedience”
[77] NT (6) BM (2) DC (2) JE (200+)
[78] BM (1)
[79] OT (1) BM (4) JE (50)
[80] JE: “ he promises him life only on the condition of a fulfillment of the commands “
[81] BM (4) DC (2) “condition of repentance” BM (1)
[82] NT (2) BM (13) JE (4)
[83] “these conditions” BM (1) JE (3)
[84] NT (1) BM (12) DC (7) JE (200+)
[85] BM (2) JE (20) JE: “whatever warnings and reproofs are given without an answerable example, they will not be very likely to take effect”
[86] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “I will endeavour always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise”
[87] BM (2) “works of justice” BM (2) JE (2) JE: “God so much gives the preference to, are works of justice and charity towards our neighbors “ Cf JE “work of redemption”
[88] “could not be destroyed” BM (2)
[89] BM (3)
[90] BM (24) JE (30) JE: “Thus we see that the great and last end of God's works which is so variously expressed in Scripture, is indeed but one.” “Thus we see how the infinite wisdom and grace of God hath made way for our eternal happiness and glory after our doleful fall.”
[91] OT (1) BM (20 DC (1) PGP (3) JE (200+) JE : « all mankind are fallen already in adam”
[92] BM (2)
[93] BM (12) DC (1) JE (100+)
[94] BM (9) JE (2)
[95] BM (6)
[96] BM (3)
[97] OT (1) NT (4) BM (10) DC (3) JE (100+)
[98] OT (2) NT (2) BM (6) PGP (1) JE (200+) JE : « 'tis not unreasonable that God himself should provide the sacrifice by which sins against himself should [be] atoned, and his own anger appeased.”
[99] BM (17) DC (6) JE (6) Cf. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
[100] OT (1) BM (1) JE (50) JE: “The end of sacrifices under the law was not merely typically to atone for sin and appease God's wrath, but to procure positive blessings.”
[101] BM (4) JE (3) JE: “the vanity of the ancient sacrifices, and their insufficiency to answer the end of a true atonement, that they did not satisfy because the demands of justice still remained”
[102] OT (1) BM (6) DC (1) JE (15)
[103] OT (2) BM (2) JE (25)
[104] BM (1)
[105] OT (23) NT (4) BM (15) DC (12) PGP (1) JE (200+)
[106] BM (2) DC (1) JE (25) JE: “Christ is the eternal life of the believer. He is the life of the soul in this world, and will be the life of it to all eternity”
[107] BM (6) DC (2) JE (20) JE: “there is a punishment. an Evil that is naturally affixed unto sin”
[108] BM (2) JE (200+) JE: “man's love of his own happiness when it runs in this channel is not what is called selfishness, but is quite opposite to it.”
[109] BM (1) JE (5) JE: “Goodness is as Eternal as his being “ “And as eternal life don't now, so it did not then, only denote a continuance of man's life forever so that he should never die, but it denotes a most glorious and blessed life.”
[110] See “affixed” above.
[111] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “Do the sufferings and obedience of Christ prove the divine law to be a just law ?”
[112] BM (3) JE (80)
[113] “remorse of conscience” BM (2) JE (20) JE: “He supposes that all self-approbation, and all remorse of conscience, all commendation or condemnation of ourselves or others” “n the same degree as the sinner feels remorse of conscience for sin, in the same degree is his heart turned from the love of sin to the hatred of it” NOTE: “conscience” NT (31) BM (5) DC (4) PGP (2) JE (1,000+)
[114] NT (3) BM (10) DC (1) JE (60) “sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13)
[115] « no law given » BM (4)
[116] BM (1) JE (3) JE: “They are afraid to sin”
[117] BM (2) JE (15) JE (Brainerd): “but had sinned continually, and so had no claim to the kingdom of heaven”
[118] NT (1) BM (11) DC (1) JE (20)
[119] BM (1)
[120] BM (3)
[121] BM (1) “inflict” BM (2) DC (1) JE (100+) JE: “is it meet and proper for them to inflict the punishment that is deserved of them” “Now such I ask, whether it is contrary to his mercy to inflict punishment upon any according to their deserts”
[122] BM (2) JE (2) NOTE: See “work of justice” above.
[123] BM (4)
[124] BM (7) JE (100)
[125] NT (11) BM (18) DC (5) JE (60)
[126] OT (3) NT (2) BM (3) DC (10) PGP (5) JEW (150)
[127] OT (22) NT (5) BM (40) DC (4) JE (200+)
[128] BM (8) DC (1) JE (6) JE: “Though the righteous are justified by faith and not their works, yet they shall be judged according to their works.”
[129] OT (8) NT (6) BM (27) DC (6) JE (35)
[130] NT (1) BM (2) JE (3)
[131] BM (1) JE (5) JE: “God has his demands tis true”
[132] BM (4) JE (10) JE: “I observe sundry passages that appropriate the sacrament to the truly penitent and faithful”
[133] BM (1)
[134] BM (1) JE (5) JE: “You may be assured that your damnation for the neglect of those duties will not be one whit the less or more gentle because ministers and church members did them not.”
[135] BM (6) JE (5) JE: “This was a great advancement of the Work of Redemption that had been begun and carried on from the fall of man, a great step taken in divine providence towards a preparation for Christ's coming in the world and working out his great and eternal redemption.”
[136] “eternal purposes” BM (5) JE (4) JE: “ God's eternal purposes and designs, concerning fallen man, and the glorious and everlasting things prepared for the saints in another world”
[137] BM (11) JE (1) JE: “'tis spoken of [as] a fire already prepared [Matthew 25:41]; and probably 'tis to be understood to be prepared from the foundation of the world”
[138] BM (1) JE (3) JE: “this was but a shadow of that Great Redemption of men from sin”
[139] NT (1) BM (1) JE (10)
[140] NT (1) BM (2) JE (1)
[141] BM (2) DC (1) JE (10) JE paraphrase: “how does he invite everyone that will, that they may "take of the waters of life freely,"” Cf “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17) Note: “water of life” NT (3)
[142] BM (1)
[143] NT (1) BM (1) JE (5)
[144] BM (2)
[145] OT (13) BM (5) PGP (1) JE (30)
[146] BM (1)
[147] BM (1)
[148] NT (4) BM (2) JE (15)
[149] BM (3)
[150] BM (6) PGP (2) JE (200+)
[151] BM (1) JE (7) JE: “you endeavor to excuse yourself from the charge of violence”
[152] NT (1) BM (3) DC (2) JE (200+)
[153] « least point » BM (1)
[154] BM (1) JE (20) JE: “Will you have Christ sit in heaven, and not look that he subdue your lusts by the work of his grace, and so sway your hearts?”
[155] OT (2) BM (1) JE (10)
[156] NT (2) BM (2) DC (9) PGP (2) JE (17)
[157] NT (2) BM (20) DC (2) JE (10)
[158] BM (12) DC (2) JE (2)
[159] NT (1) BM (3)
[160] BM (2) DC (4) JE (4) JE: “The law brings persons into the wilderness, that is, can bring souls under convictions”
[161] BM (4) DC (6)
[162] BM (7) JE (3) JE: “May God grant that your union with this people, this day, as their pastor”
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