The Book of Mormon

Mosiah 4:11

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~124 BC

1830 Edition

And again I say unto you, as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness, and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceeding great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remebrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long suffering towards you unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the Angel;

Influences

Matthew 19:24 (KJV)
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV)
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Romans 2:4 (KJV)
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Hebrews 6:5 (KJV)
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
2 Corinthians 9:11 (KJV)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Matthew 2:10 (KJV)
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Romans 2:4 (KJV)
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Acts 22:16 (KJV)
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Changes

And again I say unto you, as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness, and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long -suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the Aangel;.

Simple English

'I say to you again, as I said before: You have learned about God’s glory. You know about his goodness. You have felt his love. Your sins have been forgiven, which makes you very happy. So I want you to remember and always keep remembering how great God is and how small you are. Remember his goodness and how patient he is with you even though you don’t deserve it. Be humble and pray to the Lord every day. Stay strong in your faith about what will happen, just like the angel said.'

Paraphrase

As I said before, you’ve come to know God’s glory. You’ve tasted his goodness, felt his love, and received forgiveness for your sins—and that brought incredible joy to your hearts. So I want you to remember, always remember, how great God is. Remember your own weakness. Remember his goodness and patience toward you, even though you don’t deserve it. Humble yourselves completely. Call on the Lord every day. Stand firm in the faith the angel told us about.

Notes

4:11

Joseph Smith's writings contain many similar phrases as the Book of Mormon. "Exceeding great" or "exceedingly great" is a phrase in the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants and Joseph Smith's 1832 diary.

"Exceeding (or exceedingly) great" is found in 1 Nephi 8:12; 1 Nephi 8:23; Mosiah 4:11; Ether 11:4; Moroni 10:11; D&C 108:3; D&C 109:23; D&C 127:10; and Joseph Smith's 1832 Diary as recorded in An American Prophet's Record, p. 5.

For additional examples of Smith's common phrases, see: 1 Nephi 19:2; 2 Nephi 28:22; 2 Nephi 26:15; Helaman 3:30; and 2 Nephi 28:16.