Alma 23:17 Textual Variants

The 1852 LDS edition changed the singular name to the plural names, probably because the name itself, Anti-Nephi-Lehies, is in the plural. This change to the plural may be due to conscious editing, but it is nonetheless inappropriate given that elsewhere in this narrative the text refers to AntiNephi-Lehi as “their name”, not “their names”:

• Alma 23:16
  • and now it came to pass that the king and those people which were converted were desirous that they might have a name that thereby they might be distinguished from their brethren therefore the king consulted with Aaron and many of their priests concerning the name that they should take upon them that they might be distinguished
• Alma 23:17
  • and they were called by this name and were no more called Lamanites
• Alma 24:1
  • and it came to pass that the Amlicites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites ... which had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi were stirred up by the Amlicites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren

Thus the critical text will restore the singular name here in Alma 23:17.