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The majority of replies told me that the phrase 'white and delightsome' never appeared in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon. They further stated that the reason for the change in 1981 was to return it to its original form.
In 1958 the Mormon Church decided to photo-reproduce the 1st editions of the Book of Mormon, The Book of Commandments and The Doctrine and Covenants in honor of Joseph Smith. They chose a Mormon named Wilford Wood to do this. The result was a 2 volume set called 'Joseph Smith Begins His Work'.
A
letter which was a reply to an inquiry about the works authenticity declared that all
three works "....were actual photographic reproductions of the 1830 Book of Mormon, the
1833 Book of Commandments, the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants and the Lectures on Faith.
Therefore, they are accurate reproductions because they are photographically
reproduced."
After it was released members started comparing the original against the current Book of Mormon. After they saw all the changes that had been made, many left the Church. The leadership stopped all releases, pulled copies from Church run bookstores, and quietly forgot about it. I have this set.
Title page of the original Book of Mormon. Note at the
bottom Joseph Smith is listed as 'Author and Proprietor", not as translator.
Page 117 shows the original text has the phrase 'white
and delightsome' near the bottom.
I've been told that this book is again available for purchase, but haven't seen any. If anyone is interested, a good college library might be able to locate a copy for viewing.