“Corruption Shall Put on Incorruption”

Brant Gardner

The next possible issue that Abinadi must make clear is the distinction between resurrection and salvation. Resurrection is a gift given to all. For all has Christ broken the bands of death. The condemnation of the priests does not come in the denial of a resurrection, but of the quality of that resurrection - in terms of a resurrection of the righteous or the wicked.

Translation: This text is clearly dependent upon 1 Cor. 15:53-54:

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

How is it that Abinadi should be citing Paul? Clearly Abinadi is not citing Paul - the text owes the similarity to the similarity of concepts that become couched in Paul's language because Joseph Smith was familiar with Paul. We have seen this in other places in the translation, where Joseph's familiarity with the New Testament produces text that is reminiscent of the New Testament while the Book of Mormon time period clearly precedes the New Testament.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References