Brethren, Adieu

Brethren, Adieu

Book of Mormon Critics point out Jacob's final words as 'proof' Joseph Smith inserted his own words into the Book of Mormon.

Jacob ends 'Brethren, adieu."

In Jacob's closing he closes his argument.

Jacob pleads for all to come to Christ or face eternal separation from him. 

Jacob's words are sobering, decisive and final.

He ends his plea:

Jacob 5:48 

And to the reader I bid farewell,

hoping that many of my brethren may read my words;

Brethren, adieu.

Recently I encountered an unusual Hebrew salutation, the word is:

 "לְהִתְרַאוֹת לְעוֹלָם" (lehitra'ot le'olam).

Other Hebrew salutations are like:

·        שָׁלוֹם (Shalom) – 'Peace,' or

·        עַלֵיכֶם (Aleikhem) – 'Peace be upon you,'

But "לְהִתְרַאוֹת לְעוֹלָם" (lehitra'ot le'olam) is different. 

Having never heard that word before, I looked up the definition.  It means a final, permanent, lasting goodbye.

A final goodbye. 

I wasn't sure if an English equivalent word existed, so I asked ChatGPT 'of all the western languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, etc), what language has a word most closely meaning lehitra'ot le'olam?

ChatGPT's response?  "The FRENCH word 'ADIEU.' "

Noted, the French word 'Adieu' had been a part of the English vernacular since the 1600's so it is not an uncommon French word, even in English. 

But more to the point is the perfect context in which it is used within the Book of Mormon: Jacob is making a final plea, otherwise 'goodbye forever.'

He likely used the Hebrew word that best expresses a final goodbye, which is best translated 'Adieu,' as no equivalent English word provides similar meaning.

Once again, Book of Mormon criticisms and mockery have no hold. 

This book is indeed a translation from ancient writings of Hebrew thought.