1 Nephi 12:18
~600–592 BC
1830 Edition
and the large and spacious building which thy father saw, is vain imaginations, and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God, and Jesus Christ, which is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever.
Influences
Romans 1:21 (KJV)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Luke 16:26 (KJV)
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Ephesians 3:9 (KJV)
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Changes
Simple English
The large, fancy building your father saw represents empty dreams and people’s pride. A great and terrible gap separates them. This gap is the word of God’s justice and Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb of God. The Holy Ghost tells about him from the beginning of the world until now, and from now on forever.
Paraphrase
'That huge, fancy building your father saw represents human vanity and pride. A terrible gulf separates them—it’s the word of God’s eternal justice and Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The Holy Spirit has testified of him from the world’s beginning until now, and will forever.'