The Book of Mormon

Helaman 5:36

Back to chapter
~30 BC

1830 Edition

And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the face of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to Heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being which they beheld.

Influences

Luke 10:23 (KJV)
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
KJV Preface-1776
For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our [Sion], that upon the setting of that bright [Occidental Star], Queen [Elizabeth] of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk;
Acts 6:15 (KJV)
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Revelation 9:7 (KJV)
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
John 17:1 (KJV)
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Changes

And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to Hheaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whichom they beheld.

Simple English

He turned around. Through the cloud of darkness he saw the faces of Nephi and Lehi. They were shining brightly like angels’ faces. He saw that they were looking up to Heaven. They looked like they were talking or calling out to someone they could see.

Paraphrase

This man turned around and looked through the cloud of darkness. He saw Nephi and Lehi’s faces—and they were shining brilliantly, like the faces of angels. They were looking up to heaven, as if they were speaking to someone they could see.