Here scribe 2 of π initially wrote βin the hand of Godβ, but virtually immediately he corrected the singular hand to hands. The 1830 edition reads hands, so undoubtedly π did too. Elsewhere the text consistently has the plural hands for the phrase βin the hand(s) of Godβ (eight times), never the singular hand. For two other instances where scribe 2 of π initially wrote hands as hand, see under Mosiah 27:4 and Mormon 6:15. The critical text will maintain the plural instance here in Mormon 5:23.
Summary: Maintain in Mormon 5:23 the plural hands in the phrase βin the hands of Godβ; elsewhere the text has only the plural hands for the phrase βin the hand(s) of Godβ.