Toward a Greater Appreciation of the Word Adieu in Jacob 7:27

There are 3 thoughts on “Toward a Greater Appreciation of the Word Adieu in Jacob 7:27”.

1. See Royal Skousen’s write-up on adieu and farewell in the Book of Mormon in the text critical publication NOL (2018), pages 1047–1052. [Important reference!]

   Criticisms of adieu only begin in the 20th century. From NOL: “adieu was very common for centuries and not generally thought of as a French expression until the end of the 1800s (at the earliest).”

   Shakespeare, with 105 instances of adieu, even has the phrase “Brother, adieu”, in Histories – King John I-i:180. Close match!

   Adios has finality in various Spanish dialects, and is rarely used in those dialects. Chao and other forms are used for short goodbyes.

   Reply ↓

2. According to Stanford Carmack’s compelling evidence that the Book of Mormon was written in Early Modern English (1500-1700), it is reasonable to assume that is when the translation was created. This is the period when America was being discovered and settled by Europeans. In the early 1600s, thousands of English settlers came to what are now Virginia, Maryland, and the New England states. As Moroni was the finisher and custodian of the Gold Plates, it would also be reasonable to assume that he was the translator.

   Reply ↓

3. The word “adieu” is an English word, as are “library,” “honesty,” “money,” “bureau,” “detour,” and many other words derived from French.

   Adieu, adieu kind friends, adieu (yes, adieu).
   I can no longer stay with you.
   I’ll hang my harp on the weeping willow tree,
   And may the world go well with thee.

   The argument that the word “adieu” is an anachronism in the Book of Mormon has been stupid from the start.

   Reply ↓

Close this window