2 Nephi 30:6

Nephi writes that when the Book of Mormon will go forth to the world, many will “know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God” (2 Nephi 30:6).  The things that have prevented them from knowing the truth will go away.  Those who accept the word of God will become a “pure and delightsome people” (2 Nephi 30:6).

Verse 6 is a verse critics of the Book of Mormon use to attack the Church.  In the original version of the Book of Mormon, verse 6 read, “a white and delightsome people.”  This, they claim, is a sign of racism in the Bok of Mormon.  “In her second example, [Carol Lynn] Pearson observes that "white and delightsome" in the Book of Mormon has been changed to "pure and delightsome," "clearly because we do not want to offend people of color" (p. 39).”[1]

As with claims the critics make, this claim doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.  As Paul Harvey said, “And now, for the rest of the story.”

In the original manuscript, Joseph Smith translated the phrase to read, “white and delightsome.”  (Delightsome means “very pleasing.”)   In 1840, Joseph Smith reviewed the Book of Mormon and made some changes. This was one of them.  From 1840 to 1852, the verse read “pure and delightsome.”  How did the change happen?

In 1852, a new edition of the Book of Mormon was published in England.  This is the Liverpool Edition.  The word “pure” somehow was changed backed to “white” under the direction of Franklin Richards.  At the time, he was not aware of the changes made in 1840.  So, from 1852 to 1981, the word “white” was used.  In the 1981 Edition, Joseph Smith’s change was restored.[2]

[John]Tvedtnes discussed Joseph Smith's emendation of 2 Nephi 30:6. In this verse, the Nephites are promised that they will receive a knowledge of the Savior. They are also promised that "the scales of darkness shall fall from their eyes; and not many generations shall pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and delightsome people." Although this passage read "white and delightsome" in the original manuscript, Joseph Smith changed the word white to pure, probably to avoid the misinterpretation that skin color would literally change. In the Bible and other ancient texts, the term white is sometimes used in the sense of "pure" rather than of color.[3]

In Hebrew, “white” and “pure” were used interchangeably.  Daniel 12:10 is an excellent example of how it is used. “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”

One last observation.  The verse must be taken in context.  This set of verses explains the day would come when the Lamanites and Jews would accept Christ and obtain a fulfillment of the promises made by the Lord.  Another way to look at the end of this verse could be, “Those who accept the word of God will become a pure and delightsome people” unto the Lord.

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[1] Nephite Feminism Revisited: Thoughts on Carol Lynn Pearson's View of Women in the Book of Mormon, Kevin and Shauna Christensen, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 31, 2013.

[2] Book of Mormon Editions, Larry W. Draper, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 31, 2013.

[3] Institute Researchers Share Findings at LDS Apologetics Conference, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 31, 2013.