The Book of Mormon

Alma 12:31

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1830 Edition

wherefore he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as Gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act, according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good;

Changes

wWherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as Ggods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act, according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good;—

Simple English

God gave people commands. They had first broken his command about things in this world. They became like Gods, knowing good and evil. They could choose to do evil or do good.

Paraphrase

He gave them commandments after they had broken the first command about earthly things. By doing so, they had become like gods, knowing good from evil. They were now in a position to choose for themselves—able to decide whether to do evil or good.