Last post began comparing two versions of the same materials. Here is how the Book of Mormon originally read in that last post: “I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom. For it is because that ye are cast out — that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty — that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.” Alma 16:24
Here is how the same thing is stated in Covenant of Christ: “I tell you: It benefits you to have been kicked out of your synagogues, to humble you so you can learn wisdom; because wisdom must be learned. It’s because you’re rejected and despised by others in your community, due to your great poverty, that you’re humble of heart. You’ve been forced to be humble.”
Compare: “I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues,” with “I tell you: It benefits you to have been kicked out of your synagogues,” and ask if one is more clear than the other. Clearly “I say unto you” does not sound like we talk with one another today. “I tell you” conveys the same information in familiar language in use today. As the sentence continues, “it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues” is an obtuse way to convey an idea for any modern average reader. How might an average reader interpret this? Is it clearly stated? Does it become any more clear when put: “It benefits you to have been kicked out of your synagogues,”
As it continues we read: “For it is because that ye are cast out — that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty — that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.” It is an awkward structure with an insert interrupting the sentence flow. Does its contents communicate clearly to your mind as you read it? Is it improved when restated: “It’s because you’re rejected and despised by others in your community, due to your great poverty, that you’re humble of heart. You’ve been forced to be humble.”
Both versions contain the identical content, but one is in language foreign to modern speech. It separates the reader by the language, whereas the restatement could be something you would hear said today.
Covenant of Christ speaks to a reader today in words used in everyday conversation. That is its purpose. That is what it accomplishes. Its value for the youth in particular cannot be overstated.