The Book of Mormon

Jacob 4:9

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~544–420 BC

1830 Edition

For behold, by the power of his word, man came upon the face of the earth; which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God, being able to speak, and the world was; and to speak, and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure.

Influences

John 1:10 (KJV)
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Ephesians 1:9 (KJV)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Changes

For behold, by the power of his word, man came upon the face of the earth;, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God, being able to speak, and the world was;, and to speak, and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure.?

Simple English

By the power of God’s word, people came to the earth. The earth was created by his word. If God could speak and the world was made, if he could speak and people were created, then he can command the earth. He can control everything he made.

Paraphrase

By the power of his word, humanity appeared on the earth. That same earth was created by the power of his word. If God could speak and the world came into being, if he could speak and humanity was created, then why wouldn’t he be able to command the earth or anything on it to do whatever he wants?

Notes

4:9

2 Nephi 2:14 declares that creation was the work of "a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth..." (see also Jacob 4:9). Contrast with Pearl of Great Price which speaks of a council of gods involved in creation (See Book of Abraham, chapters 4 and 5).