Alma 5:17 Textual Variants

The 1830 typesetter accidentally replaced the preposition at with in. Yet both phrases are found elsewhere in the Book of Mormon text: “at that day” occurs 23 times, and “in that day” occurs at least 40 times (see the discussion regarding “in that day” under Helaman 14:20).

The 1830 error here in Alma 5:17 is probably the result of “in that day” occurring in the preceding verse:

• Alma 5:16
  • can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord saying unto you in that day come unto me ye blessed for behold your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth

In specific support of “at that day”, there are nearby examples of that phrase a few verses later:

• Alma 5:19 can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands
• Alma 5:21 ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved

Thus there is no reason for changing “at that day” to “in that day” in Alma 5:17; the critical text will restore the original preposition, at.