and this he done that he might usurp great power over them and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage [.&C. 0|.&c. >jg
.&c. 1|&c. ABCDEFGHIKLMNOQ|etc. JPS| RT]
The etc. here at the end of this verse was removed from the LDS text in the 1920 LDS edition. Yet there is a purpose in the etc. here: it allows for other ways for Zerahemnah to
gain power over the Nephites, as in the ways described by the following passage:
- Alma 50:22
- and those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to
bondage or to perish by the sword or to dwindle in unbelief and mingle with the Lamanites
Another purpose of the etc. could be to specify the nature of the bondage, including hard labor, taxes, and physical abuse:
- 1 Nephi 17:25
- now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage and ye know that they were laden with tasks which were grievious to be borne
- Mosiah 7:15
- for behold we are in bondage to the Lamanites and are taxed with a tax which is grievious to be borne
- Mosiah 12:2
- it shall come to pass that this generation because of their iniquities shall be brought into bondage and shall be smitten on the cheek
The critical text will restore the etc. here in Alma 43:8. For a complete discussion regarding the editing out of etc., see under etc. in volume 3.
