These verses are interesting, dealing with our personal capabilities. The
Atonement allows the Lord to not condemn us for things we don’t know, and
thus we can’t do.
10 Now, if you had known this you could have atranslated; nevertheless, it
is not expedient that you should translate now.
11 Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you afeared, and the
time is past, and it is not expedient now;
12 For, do you not behold that I have agiven unto my servant bJoseph
sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I
condemned.
It’s also interesting that something that was expedient later was not. Was
the Lord’s purposes frustrated when he could not do it? Was God’s purpose
the translated book, or teaching Oliver? It obviously was both.