The Book of Mormon

Alma 1:12

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1830 Edition

But Alma said unto him, Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people, it would prove their entire destruction.

Changes

But Alma said unto him,: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people, it would prove their entire destruction.

Simple English

But Alma said to him: This is the first time priestcraft has come among our people. You are guilty of priestcraft. You also tried to force it on others with a sword. If priestcraft is forced on our people, it would destroy them completely.

Paraphrase

But Alma said, “This is the first time we’ve seen priestcraft among our people. You’re not just guilty of priestcraft—you tried to force it on others with a sword. If priestcraft takes root here, it will destroy us.”