Alma 37:9
~74 BC
1830 Edition
Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousand of the Lamanites, of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words, brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
Influences
Matthew 11:9 (KJV)
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Changes
Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites, of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words, brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
Simple English
I tell you, without these records on these plates, Ammon and his brothers could not have convinced so many thousands of Lamanites. These records showed them that their fathers’ traditions were wrong. These records and their words brought them to turn from their sins. That is, they brought them to know the Lord their God. They brought them to be happy in Jesus Christ, their Savior.
Paraphrase
I’m telling you, if it weren’t for these records on these plates, Ammon and his brothers couldn’t have convinced so many thousands of Lamanites that their fathers' traditions were wrong. These records and their words brought them to repentance—they brought them to know the Lord their God and to celebrate Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.