Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People

One phrase that is repeated several times in one form or another in the book of Revelation is “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (see Revelation 14:6, 13:7, 11:9, 7:9, 5:9).  It is the only book in the Bible that uses this language, but in the Book of Mormon the language is very common.  It’s likely that the phrase was used in the plates of brass but is no longer in our Old Testament, and then quoted both by Book of Mormon prophets and John.  (From what Nephi said in 1 Nephi 19:17 it may be that the original language was Isaiah’s, for Nephi basically quoted Isaiah 52:10 which has the same tone of universality and then he added the words “nation, kindred, tongue, and people” to his paraphrase of Isaiah.)  I love the phrase because it emphasizes one of the great messages of the Book of Mormon: the plan of God is universal for all of His children.  The book declares numerous times that all can be partakers of His goodness and that all will sooner or later come to know Him. 

                The Book of Mormon uses this same language as John to show that the blessings of God are for all of His children.  Nephi wrote, “Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord, saith the prophet; every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall be blessed” (1 Nephi 19:17).  He likewise testified that “all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent” (1 Nephi 22:28).  Repentance is available to all—the Savior’s atonement can forgive the sins of anyone if they will choose to repent.  Later in his writings Nephi said that Christ “manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (2 Nephi 26:13).  The Holy Ghost is promised to all of God’s children who will believe in the Savior. 

                The phrase was used extensively in the book of Mosiah as well.  After speaking about Christ’s mission and atonement, the angel told King Benjamin, “And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue” (Mosiah 3:13).  He reiterated this a few verses later saying, “The knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Mosiah 3:20).  Abinadi said basically the same thing to King Noah: “The salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Mosiah 15:28).  The knowledge of Christ will be spread throughout the whole world.  He reiterated again in the next chapter, “The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just” (Mosiah 16:1).  These and other verses of the Book of Mormon stand as witnesses that salvation through Christ will be given to all who desire it.  “All are alike unto God” and He inviteth “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness” (2 Nephi 26:33).