"Whether They Be Good or Whether They Be Evil"

Brant Gardner

Reference: The language here is influenced by John 5:29: “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Joseph used similar language to express the similar concept in Mosiah 16:11: “If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation.” (See also Alma 40:11–14.) Doctrine and Covenants 76:17 provides a modern parallel: “And shall come forth; they who have done good in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust.” For this important theme, Joseph Smith tended to use similar terminology in both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Text: This is the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 5

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