“An Idle People Full of Mischief and Subtlety”

Brant Gardner

At this point, Nephi not only has a personal history of difficulties with his brothers but the two peoples have already engaged in wars with each other (v. 34). Furthermore, Nephi also obviously disapproves of their mode of life. He does not give illustrations of what he means by calling them “full of mischief and subtlety,” but the terms certainly communicate strong emotional alienation. (For more on Nephite stereotypes of Lamanite culture, see commentary accompanying 2 Nephi 5:17 and Enos 1:20.)

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

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