1 Nephi 17:3 Textual Variants

Here in 𝓞 we have two occurrences of the phrase “ways and means” that Oliver Cowdery copied into 𝓟 as simply means. The word ways refers to methods of doing things, while means is a mass noun that refers to the physical objects and materials needed to carry out those ways. This phraseology is rare today in English but is still accurately used in the designation of the congressional committee “Ways and Means”.

There is ample evidence for the use of the phrase “ways and means” elsewhere in the Book of Mormon text, with its corresponding “way or means” in negative contexts (such as “no other way nor means”). Notice how all of the following examples involve a whereby-clause, just like the first example in 1 Nephi 17:3 (“provide ways and means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them”):

• Mosiah 3:17
  • there shall be no other name given nor no other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men
• Mosiah 4:29
  • I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin for there are divers ways and means even so many that I cannot number them
• Alma 38:9
  • there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved
• Helaman 5:9
  • there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved

All these other uses of “ways and means” have been left unaltered in the text. Why Oliver Cowdery decided to shorten the two occurrences in 1 Nephi 17:3 seems inexplicable. This editing of his seems to be intentional but totally unnecessary. (For an additional example of where the original text may have also read “ways and means”, see Alma 34:15.)