BM-KJV and JE-Ether 12

Annotation of Ether 12 – preliminary

Ether 12 is a good example because it shows that a high percentage of Book of Mormon 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 w/o JE (If unique to this instance, no footnote is given)

Red = nonbiblical BofM/D&C and JE 

Purple = nonbiblical BofM/D&C similar to JE

Chapter 12

The prophet Ether exhorts the people to believe in God—Moroni recounts the wonders and marvels done by faith—Faith enabled the brother of Jared to see Christ—The Lord gives men weakness that they may be humble—The brother of Jared moved Mount Zerin by faith—Faith, hope, and charity are essential to salvation—Moroni saw Jesus face to face.

1 And it came to pass that the days of Ether were in the days of[1] Coriantumr; and Coriantumr was king over all the land.

2 And Ether was a prophet of the Lord[2]; wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained[3] because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him[4].

3 For he did cry from the morning[5], even until the going down of the sun[6], exhorting the people to believe in God[7] unto repentance[8] lest they should be destroyed[9], saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled—

4 Wherefore, whoso believeth[10] in God might with surety hope for[11] a better world[12], yea, even a place at the right hand of God[13], which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to[14] the souls of men[15], which would make them sure and steadfast[16], always abounding[17] in good works[18], being led to glorify God[19].

5 And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous[20] things unto the people, which they did not believe[21], because they saw them not[22].

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat[23] concerning these things[24]; I would show[25] unto the world[26] that faith is things[27] which are hoped for[28] and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not[29], for ye receive no witness until after[30] the trial of your faith[31].

7 For it was by faith[32] that Christ[33] showed himself[34] unto our fathers[35], after he had risen from the dead[36]; and he showed not himself[37] unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be[38] that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.

8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself[39] unto the world, and glorified the name[40] of the Father[41], and prepared a way[42] that thereby others might be partakers[43] of the heavenly gift[44], that they might hope for those things which they have not seen[45].

9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift[46], if ye will but have faith.

10 Behold it was by faith that they of old[47] were called after the holy order[48] of God[49].

11 Wherefore, by faith[50] was[51] the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared[52] a more excellent way[53]; and it is by faith[54] that it hath been fulfilled[55].

12 For if there be no faith[56] among the children of men[57] God can do no miracle[58] among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith[59].

13 Behold, it was the faith[60] of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.

14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.

16 Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles[61] wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.

17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise[62] that they should not taste of death[63]; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.

18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles[64] until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

19 And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong[65], even before Christ came[66], who could not be kept[67] from within the veil[68], but truly saw[69] with their eyes[70] the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith[71], and they were glad[72].

20 And behold, we have seen in this record[73] that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith[74] in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide[75] it from the sight of[76] the brother of Jared, because of his word[77] which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith[78].

21 And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold[79] anything from his sight[80]; wherefore he showed him[81] all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil[82].

22 And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise[83] that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.

23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at[84] these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word[85] by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing[86]; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much[87], because of the Holy Ghost[88] which thou hast given them;

24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness[89] of our hands[90]. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering[91] of man to read them.

25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great[92], even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble[93] because[94] of the placing[95] of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.

26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock[96], but they shall mourn[97]; and my grace is sufficient[98] for the meek, that they shall take no advantage[99] of your weakness[100];

27 And if men come unto me[101] I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble[102]; and my grace is sufficient[103] for all men that humble themselves[104] before[105] me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things[106] become strong unto them.

28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity[107] bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness[108].

29 And I, Moroni, having heard[109] these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will[110] be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith[111];

30 For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove—and it was removed. And if he had not had faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith.

31 For thus didst thou manifest thyself[112] unto thy disciples; for after they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power[113].

32 And I also remember[114] that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions[115] of thy Father, in which man might have[116] a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope[117], or he cannot receive an inheritance[118] in the place which thou hast prepared.

33 And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world[119], even unto the laying down of[120] thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again[121] to prepare a place[122] for the children of men.

34 And now I know that this love[123] which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men[124] shall have charity they cannot inherit[125] that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions[126] of thy Father.

35 Wherefore, I know by[127] this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity[128], because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them[129], and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received[130], and give unto them who shall have more abundantly[131].

36 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles[132] grace, that they might have charity[133].

37 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity[134] it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful[135]; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong[136], even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father[137].

38 And now I, Moroni, bid farewell[138] unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet[139] before the judgment-seat of Christ[140], where all men shall know[141] that my garments[142] are not spotted with[143] your blood.

39 And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face[144], and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language[145], concerning these things;

40 And only a few[146] have I written, because of my[147] weakness in writing.

41 And now, I would commend you[148] to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles[149] have written, that the grace of God the Father[150], and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them[151], may be and abide in you[152] forever. Amen.

(Ether 12–12:41)

[1] OT (1) BM (1) JE (2) JE: “all that were in the days of Constantine…” “that were in the days of the Apostles…”

[2] OT (6) BM (4) JE (3)

[3] BM (1) JE (3) JE: “as though they would not be restrained…”

[4] BM (6)

[5] OT (4) BM (1) PGP (2) JE (1)

[6] OT (6) BM (2) JE (3)

[7] NT (2) BM (2) PGP (1) JE (8)

[8] NT (2) BM (34) DC (4) JE (2)

[9] OT (1) NT (1) BM (15) PGP (1) JE (32) Alma 9 :4 « this great city should be destroyed” JE: “the whole city should be destroyed”

[10] BM (5) JE (2) JE paraphrase of John 11 :26 ”Whoso believeth on me” John: “whosoever liveth and believeth in me”

[11] OT (3) NT (4) BM (8) JE (199)

[12] BM (1) JE (5) JE: “a better world than this is…”

[13] “a place at the right hand of God” BM (1). “right hand of God” NT (8) BM (5) DC (1) PGP 92) JE (42) JE: “that glorious place where he was at the right hand of God…”

[14] “an anchor” NT (1) BM (1) JE (14). Heb. 6:19 “an anchor of the soul.” JE: “an anchor to their souls.”

[15] NT (1) BM (8) DC (3) JE (237)

[16] NT (1) BM (1) JE (6)

[17] NT (1) BM (2) JE (1)

[18] “abounding in good works” BM (2)

[19] NT (7) BM (2) PGP (1) JE (98)

[20] NT (2) “marvellous” BM (25) DC (6) JE (3)

[21] BM (6) JE (6)

[22] BM (2)

[23] BM (7)

[24] BM (15) DC (5) JE (19)

[25] BM (1) JE (150)

[26] NT (5) BM (17) DC (19) PGP (1) JE (6)

[27] BM (1) Heb 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

[28] OT (2) NT (1) BM (1) JE (71)

[29] BM (1) JE (1) JE : ”If you see not the sufficiency of Christ”

[30] BM (11) DC (2) JE (15)

[31] NT (1) BM (1) JE (4)

[32] BM (3) JE (5) JE: “It was by faith appearing thus that Abraham was justified…”

[33] “Christ showed himself” BM (1)

[34] BM (9) JE (15)

[35] OT (7) NT (2) BM (11) PGP (1) JE (1)

[36] NT (10) BM (4) JE (34)

[37] BM (2)

[38] OT (2) NT (3) BM (29) DC (23) JE (234)

[39] BM (1) JE (11) JE: “because God has revealed himself, he has shown himself…”

[40] BM (1) PGP (1)

[41] “the name of the Father“ NT (1) BM (2) DC (2) PGP (1) JE (13)

[42] BM (3)

[43] NT (22) BM (6) DC (6) PGP (1) Heb 1:1 “partakers of the heavenly calling”

[44] NT (1) BM (2) JE (15) Heb. 6:4 “have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost…”

[45] BM (1) JE (2) JE: “who love Christ, though they have not seen him…”

[46] BM (1) JE (1) JE : ”there were many were made partakers of the gift of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands”

[47] OT (1) BM (2) JE (6) [Note : OT “they of old time” BM/JE just “they of old”

[48] BM (17) DC (1) JE (1)

[49] “holy order of God“ BM (11) DC (1)

[50] NT (37) BM (19) DC (7) JE (991)

[51] ”by faith was” BM (1) JE (2)

[52] OT (3) BM (1) JE (6)

[53] NT (1) BM (1) JE (27)

[54] BM (4) JE (11) JE: “it is by faith that the soul is united unto Christ”

[55] ”hath been fulfilled” BM (1) ”has been fulfilled” BM (1) JE (2)

[56] OT (1) NT (1) BM (2) JE (36)

[57] OT (23) BM (131) DC (39) PGP (15) JE (139)

[58] NT (1) BM (2) JE (2)

[59] BM (3)

[60] BM (3)

[61] NT (1) BM (2) JE (31) JE: “men have prophesied and wrought miracles, and have had faith, so that they could remove mountains…”

[62] BM (3) DC (1) JE (1) JE: “had obtained a promise from God…”

[63] NT (4) BM (5) DC (1) JE (9)

[64] NT(1) BM (2) JE (31)

[65] BM (6) JE (3)

[66] BM (2) JE (47)

[67] BM (3) JE (12)

[68] OT (5) NT (1) BM (*3) JE (13)

[69] BM (2)

[70] OT (3) NT (3) BM (3) JE (42)

[71] BM (3) JE (16) JE: “ he sees these things by an eye of faith”  “1 Peter 1:8(a). "They live the happiest life in this world, that live a life of love to Jesus Christ, beholding him with an eye of faith."

[72] OT (3) NT (3) BM (3) JE (12)

[73] BM (2)

[74] BM (2)

[75] OT (1) BM (1) JE (1)

[76] BM (1) JE (8)

[77] BM (1) JE (1)

[78] BM (2) JE (9)

[79] BM (2) PGP (1)

[80] BM (2) JE (3)

[81] BM (1) PGP (1) JE (34) NOTE : ”shewed him” OT (6) NT (2) BM-1830 (1) JE (9)

[82] OT (4) BM (1) JE (3) JE : ”he delivers divine truth without the veil of ancient figures and similitudes”

[83] NT (1) BM (1) JE (5)

[84] OT (2) BM (2) JE (8)

[85] BM (2)

[86] BM (3)

[87] BM (4) JE (17) JE: “incline them to speak much”

[88] BM (1) JE (2)

[89] BM (1) JE (6)

[90] OT (4) NT (1) BM (2) DC (2) PGP (1) JE (18)

[91] BM (1) JE (3)

[92] BM (1) JE (1)

[93] OT (18) NT (1) BM (7) DC (1) JE (104)

[94] “stumble because” BM (2)

[95] BM (1) JE (7) JE: “though the placing of the same words”

[96] BM (1) JE (1) JE: paraphrasing “Solomon tells us, in Proverbs 14:9, "the fools mock at sin". “Fools make a mock at sin:” (Proverbs 14:9)

[97] OT (10) NT (1) BM (1) DC (4) JE (26)

[98] NT (1) BM (2) DC (2) JE (4)

[99] Bm (1) JE (40)

[100] NT (7) BM (19) DC (6) PGP (2) JE (428)

[101] OT (18) NT (8) BM (37) DC (4) JE (81)

[102] BM (2)

[103] NT (1) BM (2) DC (2) JE (4)

[104] OT (1) BM (25) DC (3) JE (33)

[105] “humble themselves before” BM (11) DC (3) JE (9) JE: “deeply to humble themselves before him”

[106] NT (1) BM (1) DC (4) JE (12)

[107] BM (3) DC (3) JE (11) Note: JE paraphrases 1 Cor. 13 :8 « now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three.” JE: “Nor is heaven only the abiding place of faith, hope and charity, these three.” “by faith, hope and charity the Apostle intends…”

[108] BM (3) JE: “They derive their holiness from Christ as the fountain of it.” (using “righteousness” several times in the sentence).

[109] NT (2) BM (5) JE (39)

[110] BM (1) JE (6)

[111] BM (12) DC (3)

[112] NT (1) BM (1) JE (2)

[113] OT (10) NT (5) BM (21) DC (2) JE (127)

[114] BM (2)

[115] BM (1) JE (1)

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

[117] BM (1) JE (2)

[118] BM (1) DC (7)

[119] NT (1) BM (1) DC (1) JE (16)

[120] BM (3) JE (1) JE: “the laying down of his life…”

[121] NT (2) BM (1) JE (22)

[122] NT (2) BM (1) DC (2) JE (36)

[123] BM (2) JE (223) JE: “when we meditate on this love of God”

[124] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “whose eye beholds all the children of men, should suffer it to be thus, except men look forward to the day of judgment…”

[125] NT (1) BM (2) JE (1)

[126] « in the mansions » BM (3) DC (5)

[127] BM (2) JE (8)

[128] NT (3) BM (4) DC (1) JE (13)

[129] OT (1) NT (1) BM (1) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (23)

[130] NT (2) BM (3) DC (3) JE (47)

[131] NT (7) BM (6) DC (3) JE (99)

[132] BM (1) DC (1)

[133] BM (2) DC (1) (quoting BM) JE (1)

[134] NT (3) BM (4) DC (1) JE (13)

[135] NT (5) BM (4) DC (8) JE (19)

[136] OT (2) NT (1) BM (3) DC (8) JE (22)

[137] BM (2) DC (3)

[138] BM (2)

[139] BM (1) DC (1) (quoting BM) JE (4) JE : ”in that day when we shall meet before him”

[140] NT (2) (without hyphen) BM (7) DC (1) JE (15) without hyphen) BM-1830 (1) without hyphen (6) “judgement seat of Christ”

[141] BM (1) DC (3)

[142] OT (2) NT (1) BM (4) DC (2) JE (6)

[143] BM (1) DC (1) JE (8) JE: “garment spotted with the flesh” DC 36:6 “even the garments spotted with the flesh” Jude 1:23 “garment spotted by the flesh”

[144] OT (7) NT (4) BM (5) DC (2) PGP (4) JE (104)

[145] NT (1) BM (1) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (21)

[146] BM (3) JE (7)

[147] OT (3) BM (11) PGP (2) JE (6)

[148] NT (1) BM (1) JE (6)

[149] BM (1) DC (4) JE (21)

[150] BM (3) DC (1) JE (2)

[151] BM (1) JE (5) JE : “the apostle Paul bears record of them”

[152] NT (2) BM (1) PGP (1) JE (10)