In 2nd Nephi chapter 30 verse 6, Nephi wrote,
“Many generations shall not pass away among”
the remnant of Lehi’s people before “they
shall be a white and a delightsome people”
Is this optimistic promise somehow evidence
of racism in the Book of Mormon? And if so,
how could a divine book from God be racist?
In preparing the 3rd edition for publication
in 1840, Joseph Smith changed the text to
read “pure and delightsome.” This was
a small change, because in Joseph Smith’s
day the dictionary definitions of “white”
and “pure” were almost identical. But
that change was overlooked in the editions
after 1840 until it was noticed and re-instated
in 1981 after careful review.
Although the Prophet Joseph said the Book of Mormon was
the “most correct book,” he never claimed
perfection in its grammar, spelling, or in
some cases its phraseology, but in terms of
its ability to bring its readers closer to
God than can any other book. Current scholarship
has allowed all readers to get closer to the
original text as brought forth by Joseph Smith
through the gift and power of God. And now
you know why.
