2 Nephi 30:6

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 30:6

6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.

Quotes for Discussion

Pure, Delightsome

Except the 1840 edition of the Book of Mormon, in all editions prior to 1981 this verse read “a white and delightsome people.” The 1981 change was made in conformity with the 1840 edition (the only one personally revised by Joseph Smith) where the word “pure” rather than “white” is found. Commenting on this point, Robert J. Matthews wrote: “The decision to use ‘pure’ in this passage was made not on the basis of the original manuscripts (as were most other cases) but on the 1840 revision by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the judgment of the [current] living prophets. This correction does not negate the concept that future generations of lamanites will become white, but it removes the concept that one has to be white to be delightsome to the Lord.”

Rodney Turner, Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, edited by Nyman and Tate [Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center, 1989], 156

I have been to Mexico a number of times extending over a period of many years. Once our people there seemed so poor, their education so meager. They appeared to be seriously handicapped in many ways.

Now, recently, when the Mexico City Temple was dedicated, they came by the thousands. They were clean, their faces bright and smiling, their clothes neat and attractive. They bore every makr of education and refinement. There was something of greatness apparent in them. Most of them have the blood of Lehi in their veins. The shackles of darkness have fallen from their eyes, as promised by the prophets of the Book of Mormon. They have become “a pure and delightsome people” (2 Nephi 30;6). What a wonderfully uplifting experience it was to be with them and to witness the miraculous power of God in their lives.

Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference Report, Oct. 1985 [salt lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985], 71-72

I had a dream one night about our temple in Salt Lake City….Suddenly there was a door opened in the west, and an Indian chief came into the temple, leading a vast host of his tribe, and took possession of the temple, and I thought they performed more work in one hour than we could do in a day. This made a strong impression on m y mind….I believe the day will come when these Lamanites, with the dark skin that rests upon them, will enter into these temples of the Lord in these mountains and do a great deal of work….They will have wisdom given unto them. They will have light and truth given unto them, and the spirit of their forefathers will be manifest unto them.

The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, edited by G. Homer Durham [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1946], 296-297

We were recently with the Navajo Nation at Window Rock in Arizona….It was difficult to hold back the tears as we mingled with these sons and daughters of Father Lehi. In my imagination I have seen him weeping for his progeny who for so long have walked in poverty and pain. But the shackles of darkness are falling. Some of them now are men and women of achievement. They have partaken of the fruits of education. They have come to know and love the gospel. They have become pure and delightsome. But there is so much more to do among them. Alcohol and drugs literally destroy many of them. We must do more to help. As I look to the future, I envision the Spirit of the Lord being poured out upon these people. Education will unlock the door of opportunity, and the gospel will bring new light and understanding into their lives.

Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1997 [salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1997], 67