Alma 17:2
~91–77 BC
1830 Edition
Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly, to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding, and they had searched the Scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
Influences
Philippians 1:14 (KJV)
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Changes
Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly, to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding, and they had searched the Sscriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
Simple English
These sons of Mosiah were with Alma when the angel first appeared to him. Alma was very happy to see his friends. What made him even happier was that they were still his friends in the Lord. They had grown strong in knowing the truth. They were smart men. They had studied the Scriptures carefully so they could know God’s word.
Paraphrase
These were the same men who’d been with him the day the angel appeared. Alma was thrilled to see his old friends. What made it even better—they were still walking with the Lord. They’d grown strong in truth, becoming men of real understanding who had studied the Scriptures deeply to know God’s word.