The first edition of the Book of Mormon, as
well as its early manuscripts,
contains many non-standard or unusual words and phrases.
For instance, Nephi said “For I had spake
many things unto them.”
Modern rules of English would replace “had
spake” with “had spoken.”
Similarly, Alma “clapped his hands upon
all they which were with him.”
Today’s English, as well as the English
of Joseph Smith’s day,
would require that “all they” be changed to “all them which were with him.”
Dozens of similar examples could be cited.
For many years, believers and critics alike have assumed that the Book of Mormon’s unusual grammar
was simply a product of Joseph Smith’s rural dialect,
or possibly the result of an uneducated speaker trying to sound biblical.
In fact, Joseph Smith himself edited out much
of the non-standard grammar
when preparing the text for its republication in 1837.
Yet, in a surprising turn,
recent linguistic research has proven that almost every non-standard word or phrase in the Book of Mormon
shows up as acceptable usage
in an earlier period of the English language, called Early Modern English.
These findings can shed new light on the Lord’s
counsel to the prophet Moroni.
Moroni feared that the gentiles would mock
the Book of Mormon because of its wording
which indeed has taken place.
Yet the Lord also promised that He could help
turn weaknesses into strengths.
Now, with the help of modern databases and
search engines,
the very things that were seen as “bad” English in the Book of Mormon
are turning out to be remarkably and surprisingly “good” English
just from a different time period than expected.
This situation can help readers see why it is important to ignore those who mock and  persecute
that which is good and holy.
It can also help us overcome our own doubts and fears.
As we place our faith in the Lord,
he will likewise help transform our personal weaknesses into strengths.
And now you know why
