and the Lord pouring out his [blessings 1ABCDEFGIJLMNOPQRST|blessing HK] upon the people
Here the 1874 RLDS edition once more replaced a plural noun with its singular (see the nearby examples in verses 18 and 19). As with these other examples, the 1908 RLDS edition restored the
correct plural to the RLDS text. Here in verse 21, either the singular blessing or the plural blessings will work, at least in theory. But in other places in the text where
there is a reference to the Lord pouring out a blessing or blessings, the Book of Mormon text favors the plural blessings when referring to unspecified blessings (as here in Alma 16:21):
- Helaman 3:25
- and so great was the prosperity of the church and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves
astonished beyond measure
- 3 Nephi 10:18
- and also they which had been called Lamanites which had been spared did have great favors shewn unto them and great blessings poured out upon their heads
- Ether 9:20
- and thus the Lord did pour out his blessings upon this land which was choice above all other lands
Only when the blessing is specific do we get the singular blessing with the verb pour:
- 3 Nephi 20:27 (referring to the Abrahamic blessing, as cited in Acts 3:25)
- and after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham saying in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed unto the pouring
out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all
- 3 Nephi 24:10 (referring to the giving of tithes, citing Malachi 3:10)
- bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in my house and prove me now herewith saith the Lord of Hosts if I will not open you the windows of heaven and
pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it
