Mosiah 9:1
~200–187 BC
1830 Edition
I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of our fathers’ first inheritance, and I having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites, that I might spy out their forces, that our army might come upon them and destroy them; but when I saw that which was good among them, I was desirous that they should not be destroyed;
Influences
Galatians 2:14 (KJV)
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Changes
I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of our fathers’ first inheritance, and I having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites, that I might spy out their forces, that our army might come upon them and destroy them; —but when I saw that which was good among them, I was desirous that they should not be destroyed;.
Simple English
I, Zeniff, learned the Nephite language. I knew about the land of Nephi. That was the land where our fathers first lived. I was sent as a spy to watch the Lamanites. Our army wanted to know how strong they were so we could destroy them. But when I saw good things about them, I didn’t want them to be destroyed.
Paraphrase
I grew up learning the Nephite language and knew the land of Nephi well—the land where our ancestors first settled. My commander sent me as a spy to scout out the Lamanite army so we could ambush and destroy them. But when I saw the good in these people, I didn’t want them slaughtered.