1 Nephi 5:4
~600–592 BC
1830 Edition
And it had came to pass that my father spake unto her saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem and had perished with my brethren.
Influences
1 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Changes
And it had caome to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.
Simple English
My father spoke to her and said: 'I know I see visions. If I had not seen God’s things in a vision, I would not have known God is good. I would have stayed in Jerusalem and died with my brothers.’
Paraphrase
My father answered her: 'Yes, I am a dreamer. If I hadn’t seen God’s visions, I wouldn’t have known his goodness. I would have stayed in Jerusalem and died with everyone else.'