A Textual
Error in the Book of Mormon
We know from Alma chapter 22:31 – 32
that the Land Northward was called Desolation and the Land Southward was called
Bountiful. We also know that a “line” separated them that was a day and a half's
journey wide going from the East to West sea. Keeping that in mind, Helaman 4:6
says the Nephites were driven into the Land of Bountiful. In Helaman 4:7 we
read that they fortified the "line" from east to west, it being a
day's journey, to defend their north country. This seems to be the same place
mentioned in Alma 22:31- 32. Helaman 4:8 says the Lamanites had taken
possession of all the Nephites lands in the Land Southward. Thus, the Lamanites
also possessed Bountiful in the Land Southward. Verses 9 -10 state that the Nephites
regained about half of their territory. In the printer’s manuscript, and the
1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, the word "retained" was used, but
this was changed to “regained” which seems clearer and correct. Thus, we see an
example of a textual error in the original Book of Mormon. But, I believe another
textual error exists that has not been changed. Bountiful is in the Land
Southward and the Lamanites occupied all of it. The Nephites were fortifying
the line between Bountiful and Desolation. Thus, Helaman 4:6 should read that
the Nephites were driven even into the Land of Desolation, not the Land Bountiful.
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