Thus We See in the Book of Mormon | thoughts_from_an

“and thus we see” is a phrase we see often in the Book of Mormon, used by the one compiling the scripture as a conclusionary comment. it is used as an inspired conclusion to an event they have just portrayed, as a warning to the reader. There is something very special about these verses. We have an ancient prophet, who has seen our day, and warns us about what will happen. These are extremely significant verses. They are some of the very most important verses in all of scripture. They aren’t just doctrinal thoughts, they are major warnings designed to get our attention and understand just how relevant they are to our present day situation.

The Book of Mormon reminds me of a famous statement, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The Book of Mormon’s writers don’t want us to fall into the same individual or collective “pits” that the ancient people on this continent fell into.

The phrase “and thus we see” with its specific word content and sequencing, is not found in any other book of scripture, it is completely unique to the Book of Mormon. Other related phrases unique to the Book of Mormon include “thus we see,” “thus we may see,” “we can behold,” “we can see,” and, finally, the descriptive and meaningful “and thus we can plainly discern.” Once again, these specific words in these specific sequences are found only in the Book of Mormon.

In total, the phrase “and thus we see” is used 21 times in the Book of Mormon. Not surprisingly, Mormon, the principal compiler of the book, uses this phrase 16 times.

In total, the following 6 phrases are used 30 times in the Book of Mormon. The compilers of the Book of Mormon record—Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni—used the phrases 25 of these 30 times, with Mormon, the principal compiler, using them 21 times.

Phrase Reference Occurences

“And thus we see” 1 Nephi 16:29 1

Alma 42:4, 7, 14 3

Helaman 6:34, 35, 36, 40 4

Helaman 12:3 1

Ether 14:25 1