Strait/Straight

“The two homophones strait and straight derive from two different words: strait is a loanword that comes from the Old French estreit (and ultimately from Latin strictus); straight is from Middle English strehte, the past participle of the modern verb stretch. There is also a clear difference in meaning: strait means ‘narrow or tight’, while straight means ‘not crooked,’ [direct, undeviating, not bent or curved]….There are 27 occurrences of strait and straight in the Book of Mormon. Except in one case, the scribes spelled both straight ‘not crooked’ and strait ‘narrow’ identically as strait. The only example with the spelling straight is in the original manuscript for Alma [22:2]. On the other hand, the 1830 edition consistently spelled all 27 as straight. Thus the earliest textual sources provide no evidence as to which word is intended. The decision must be made on the basis of context….Six of the occurrences of strait and straight are relatively noncontroversial [e.g., out of a straight stick an arrow (1 Nephi 5:7); he did straiten them (1 Nephi 5:20); place is too strait (1 Nephi 6:9)]….There are 21 occurrences that involve the words path, course, way, and gate. In every instance, a gate is always strait or narrow, never straight. A way is always narrow, never straight. (Even though strait means ‘narrow’, the word strait is never used with way.)… The difficulty arises with path and course. There is evidence that paths and courses can be both straight and narrow, but not redundantly ‘strait and narrow.’”¹ However, one is reminded that an understanding of this doctrine is necessary “in order to see the path which lies strait before you” and “the correct word is strait and not straight.”²

“Nephi’s own words in… [2 Nephi 13], confirm the connection between the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate and the strait gate and narrow wa y. The expression straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate in [verse 2] refers to Christ’s example of being baptized and having the Holy Ghost descend upon him [v. 2]. In the same chapter Nephi makes it clear that ‘repentance and baptism’ are ‘the gate’ [v. 3] and that after cleansing by the Holy Ghost, ‘then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life’ [v. 3]. In other words, the ‘gate’ consists of repentance and baptism and is ‘narrow,’ like the strait gate; and the ‘straitness of the path’ leading from the gate to ‘eternal life’ is, like ‘the strait and narrow path,’ the narrow way.”³ Covenant of Christ explains: Enter through the narrow gate. Because the gate is narrow and the pathway tight leading to life, and very few find it. But the gate is wide and the way is easy leading to death, and a great number follow it until the night comes when no one can work (3 Nephi 13:2 CE).

Christ states: Repent therefore and enter in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat, because strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads unto life, and few there are that find it (Matthew 3:45). A gate is “an opening in a wall, made for the purpose of entrance and exit, and capable of being closed by a movable barrier” by someone in charge.⁴ A strait gate is a constricted, tight, narrow opening, gate, passage, or door, “so narrow as to make transit difficult.”⁵ The language of Matthew is echoed in the Book of Mormon: Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (3 Nephi 6:9). Covenant of Christ makes it even clearer: You should enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is vast that leads to destruction, and many enter through those; because the gate is narrow and the pathway tight leading to life, and very few find it (3 Nephi 6:9 CE). Therefore, my dear people, repent and enter through the strict, narrow gate and stay on the narrow path until you gain eternal life (Jacob 4:2 CE). The way to darkness is broad and easy. It requires no effort, it welcomes, it tempts with its ease, and because there are “many who go in thereat,” it is also popular. There will only be a “few who find it.” Even in these final days, the measure will always be “few,” not in a relative sense, but in an absolute sense; it will be only a small number. It is strait and therefore narrow, but it lies in a straight path before each person. One can know they are on it when they encounter the gatekeeper, for He has no servant there. He alone maintains that gate through which entry to salvation is gained.⁶See also KEEPER OF THE GATE.