1 Nephi 10:17, 19. Diligently Seek
The words “those who diligently seek him” (1 Nephi 10:17) were borrowed from Hebrews 11:6, while the words “he that diligently seeketh shall find,” two verses later (1 Nephi 10:19), derive from Matthew 7:8, “he that seeketh findeth.”Since the New Testament was unavailable to the Nephites, who left Jerusalem six centuries before Christ’s birth, we must attribute the borrowing to Joseph Smith.
The fact that the expression is found in such diverse writings as Matthew and Hebrews should have told the critics that it is relatively common. Indeed, it is likely that the New Testament passages are based on the idea found in these Old Testament verses:
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, paraphrasing Deuteronomy 4:29)
“Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.” (Proverbs 7:15)
“Those that seek me early shall find me.” (Proverbs 8:17)