Go The 2nd Mile? … Y/N

The Joseph Smith Translation

It may come as a surprise to you to learn that the Joseph Smith Translation of the “second mile” text in Matthew contains a significant textual change.  Matthew 5:41 of the King James Version reads: “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (two).”

The Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 5:43 reads:

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him a mile; and whosoever shall compel thee to go with him twain, thou shalt go with him twain (emphasis added).

An examination of the original manuscript of the Joseph Smith Translation reveals that this was a deliberate textual change in the Bible made by the Prophet Joseph Smith.  This particular change in the text is one of the changes that wasn’t included in the footnotes or in the Appendix of the Latter-day Saint edition of the scriptures.

What about 3 Nephi 12:41?

One might ask, if the New Testament scripture was changed as noted above, how do you explain the Book of Mormon scripture 3 Nephi 12:41:  “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain?”

One explanation could be as follows:  The Saints to whom the Savior appeared in the ancient Americas were in a much less hostile environment than their brothers and sisters living in ancient Israel.  All of the wicked had just been destroyed in the events accompanying the Savior’s death.  The “second miles” they were being asked to travel accomplished righteous purposes among faithful people.  Unlike their Jerusalem counterparts, there was little risk they would be exploited by those in authority.  The Savior’s counsel to the Saints in ancient Israel, “go with him a mile” (Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 5:43), was inspired direction to the members of the Church in that day to comply with Roman law, but not to waste their strength in doing more than was needful.

When and where going the second mile is right

There are circumstances when and where going the second mile is the right thing to do.  A modern day example of rendering “only a mile when a mile is asked” is found in our payment of state and federal taxes.  Most members of the Church understand the law and fulfill our responsibilities to pay our taxes.  Some people probably pay less than they should, but how many of us would even consider writing out a check for double the amount of money the government requires us to pay?  On the other hand, an example of “going two miles when only one mile is asked” can be illustrated by the payment of tithes and offerings.  While one is never obligated to pay more in tithes and offerings than the Lord requires, many people do because of their love for the Lord, love of the Church, and they have the means to do so.

Going the extra mile when you don’t need to

There are many members of the Church who have become spiritually, emotionally, and physically weary because they have been going the second mile in various parts of their lives when the Lord would have them go only one or even none.

Beyond the mark

Numerous scriptures have taught likewise.  Lord’s counsel to the Prophet Joseph Smith and King Benjamin, was that it was not requisite that a man should run than he has strength. (D&C 10:4) (Mosiah 4:26)

In Jacob 4:14, Jacob provides valuable insight into how the Lord’s ancient covenant people went into apostasy:  “…Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall.” In 3 Nephi 11:39-40 we read:

… And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them (emphasis added).

Church leaders caution us

Elder Bruce R. McConkie noted that being true was important but described a danger of being “truer than true,” (“The Probationary Test of Mortality,” address delivered at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion, 10 Jan. 1982).

President Boyd K. Packer once counseled, “A virtue when pressed to the extreme may turn into a vice,” (“Covenants,” Ensign, November 1990, pg. 84).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks identified inordinate church service as “A related strength that can be corrupted to our downfall is a desire to excel in a Church calling,” (“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign, Oct. 1994).

Joseph B. Wirthlin reminds us “Church leaders are mindful of individual limitations yet eager to utilize members to the extent of their strength and abilities. Leaders teach and support but do not bring pressure to ‘run faster or labor more than’ strength allows,” (“Concern for the One,” Ensign, May 2008).

Gospel Principle

While we often recognize and acknowledge the adversary’s efforts to tempt us to be less faithful than we know we should be, how many of us have been deceived into doing more than is expedient?  This is one of the adversary’s most effective and best disguised deceptions to handicap and destroy faithful people.  While success is often found in going the second mile, so is failure.

Additional Resources

O. Don Ostler, “Keeping Our Balance: Recognizing and Resisting Excesses in Our Efforts to Live the Gospel,” Ensign, Jun 1983.

M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987.

Daniel K. Judd

Daniel K. Judd received an M.S. degree in family science and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Brigham Young University.  He has been a seminary and institute instructor in Utah, Arizona, and Michigan, and he was a professor of family science at BYU-Idaho.  He is also the former Chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture at BYU, where he is presently a professor. He has published several articles on religious and mental health issues. He and his wife, Kaye Seegmiller Judd, have four children and reside in Orem, Utah.