EVIDENCE: Pronoun Repetition (3 Nephi 30:2, Mosiah 4:30, Mosiah 11:3, Alma 32:42, Alma 38:3, Alma 44:5, Helaman 3:14)

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

Unlike English, in a list of nouns in the Hebrew language, any possessive pronoun is repeated before each noun. The Hebrew Old Testament still contains some instances of this usage, as in Exodus 10:9: “And Moses said, we will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go” (emphasis added). Many examples of this usage exist in the Book of Mormon. For instance, the possessive pronoun “your” is used twelve times in 3 Nephi 30:2. (See Echoes, 179–180.)

Concluding Thoughts

The Savior, through His visit to America, gives us a resplendent portrait of what it means to live the gospel, to enjoy the blessings of bringing souls unto Him, and to know the happiness that can come alone from the love of God and obedience to His commandments.

Living the gospel of Jesus Christ entails not only coming unto Christ and applying the Atonement to our lives but helping others to come unto Christ as well. This is the “thing of most worth” to our lives, and the means by which our sins will be forgiven (see D&C 15:6; 16:6; 31:5; James 5:20). As we live the teachings of Christ and labor to assist in the work of saving souls, we can become a righteous people. In righteousness we will find happiness. There is no other way.

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

References