“That Many of My Brethren May Read My Words”

Bryan Richards

The student of the Book of Mormon should be aware that this translation by Joseph Smith has been frequently criticized. The detractor says, "how can Joseph Smith use this French word (adieu) in an English translation?" They use this as an example of a mistake in the Book of Mormon. It is ironic for them to criticize the last word of the book of Jacob when the rest of the book is filled with the words of Christ. If the doctrine of Christ wasn't enough, the book contains the beautiful and obviously inspired allegory of the olive tree. For someone to read all these things and then complain about a term which was obviously used colloquially in Joseph Smith's day is remarkable. These detractors probably sympathized with Sherem because they serve the same master.

"It is interesting to note that there is a Hebrew word Lehitra 'ot, which has essentially the same meaning in Hebrew as the word adieu has in French. Both of these words are much more than a simple farewell; they include the idea of a blessing." (Daniel Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p.163)

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