This example provides further support for the analysis of strait /straight described under 1 Nephi 8:20. There it was argued that for most cases referring to paths, ways, and courses, the correct word is straight and not strait, with the result that the phrase “straight and narrow course” is not a redundancy. This example from 2 Nephi 9:41 provides clear support for this interpretation since the sentence would not make sense if strait ‘narrow’ were used, for then the conjunction but would seem completely inappropriate (“the way for man is narrow but it lieth in a narrow course before him”). All printed editions have maintained the correct spelling straight here in 2 Nephi 9:41. For a complete discussion, see 1 Nephi 8:20 or strait in volume 3.
Summary: Maintain the spelling straight in 2 Nephi 9:41 since the conjunction but requires straight ‘not crooked’ rather than strait ‘narrow’.