Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon | John W. Welch

John W. Welch explores the presence of chiasmus, an ancient Hebraic literary device characterized by inverted parallel structures, within the Book of Mormon. This rhetorical form involves presenting ideas in one order and then repeating them in the exact reverse order, creating a symmetrical pattern that centers on a pivotal theme. While simple versions appear in various cultures, the complex, multi-layered chiasms found in the Bible are also prevalent throughout the Nephite records. The author argues that because these intricate patterns were virtually unknown in Joseph Smith’s era, their existence serves as evidence of the book's ancient Semitic origins. By analyzing specific examples from prophets like Alma and King Benjamin, Welch demonstrates how this structure provides a sophisticated framework for understanding the text’s theological and artistic depth. Thus, the discovery of this pattern suggests that the Book of Mormon is a direct translation of an authentic ancient product rather than a nineteenth-century creation.

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