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

Abstract: The phrase “Brethren, adieu” (Jacob 7:27) has been criticized over the years as an obvious anachronism in the Book of Mormon. That criticism holds no validity whatsoever since many English words have French origins. It’s worth considering, though, a deeper meaning of the word: a nuance of finality — that the separation will last until a reunion following death (à Dieu, or until God). With the deeper meaning of adieu in mind, the parallel structure in Jacob 7:27 — “down to the grave,” reflecting the finality of adieu — becomes more apparent. The question of whether Joseph Smith was aware of the deeper meaning of adieu is taken up by looking at how the word was used in the Joseph Smith Papers. Rather than reflecting an error on the part of Joseph Smith, the word adieu, with its deeper nuance of finality until God, is not only an appropriate term, it appears to strengthen the case for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.