Omni 1:20
~323–130 BC
1830 Edition
And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him, with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings, by the gift and power of God.
Changes
And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him, with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings, by the gift and power of God.
Simple English
During Mosiah’s time, a large stone with writing on it was brought to him. He translated the writing by God’s gift and power.
Paraphrase
During Mosiah’s time, someone brought him a large stone covered with engravings. By God’s gift and power, he interpreted them.
Notes
1:20
In the preface to the 1830 Book of Mormon we read, “I translated, by the gift and power of God.” This same phrase also appears in Omni 1:20.
See 1 Nephi 1:1, 2 Nephi 26:15, and 2 Nephi 28:16 for additional examples of Smith's common phrases.