Alma 13:25 Textual Variants

Here the 1874 RLDS edition accidentally omitted the subordinate conjunction that; the 1908 RLDS edition restored the that to the RLDS text. Either reading is theoretically possible, although the text otherwise has that after “would to God” (but there are only a couple examples):

• Jacob 1:8 we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God
• Alma 39:7 I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime

The critical text will maintain in Alma 13:25 the that in “would to God that it might be in my day”. For further discussion regarding the optionality of the subordinate conjunction that, see under that in volume 3.

Interestingly, the King James Bible typically avoids the subordinate that after “would to God”:

• Exodus 16:3 would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD
• in the land of Egypt
• Joshua 7:7 would to God we had been content and dwelt on the other side Jordan
• Judges 9:29 and would to God this people were under my hand
• 1 Corinthians 4:8 and I would to God ye did reign
• Corinthians 11:1 would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly

Only once do we get the that, in Paul’s famous reply to king Agrippa:

• Acts 26:29
  • I would to God that not only thou but also all that hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I am except these bonds