The Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 7:8

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1830 Edition

And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying; yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel, behold, thou art mine elder brethren; and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?

Influences

Mark 3:5 (KJV)
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Changes

And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying;, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel,: bBehold, thouye arte mine elder brethren;, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?

Simple English

I was sad because their hearts were hard. So I spoke to them, saying to Laman and Lemuel: “You are my older brothers. Why are your hearts so hard and your minds so blind? Why do I, your younger brother, need to speak to you and be an example for you?”

Paraphrase

My heart ached because they were so stubborn. I spoke to Laman and Lemuel: “You’re my older brothers. Why are your hearts so hard and your minds so blind that you need me—your younger brother—to teach you and set an example?”