Countless articles on the subject have been published, and examples of its use abound. Aug 14, 2019 poetic parallelisms in the book of mormon. Time now for a few final evaluations of what we have learned about chiasmus in the book of mormon. This poetical form, chiasmus, a type of inverted parallelism, reaches highly artistic heights in the book of mormon and is difficult to ascribe to chance. Welch, the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon. Select one of the links above to view examples of chiasmus in various books of the book of mormon. If this was the only sort of chiasmus to be found in the book of mormon, then it would be weak evidence, at best, of any sort of ancient origin for the text. To celebrate this 50th anniversary, throughout july and august book of mormon central will publish one knowhy each week that discusses chiasmus and its significance and value to understanding the bible, the book of mormon, and other ancient literatures. See book of mormon central, why is the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon. Nov 09, 2011 a chiasmus is a form of ancient hebrew poetry which is also known as inverted parallelism. As with the poetry of the old testament, book of mormon poetry was used to make the passage more unified and memorable.
Central idea d the turning point or cross of the chi. In his blessing to his son helaman, alma uses chiasmus in recounting his conversion to the gospel of jesus christ. However, thirty years after leaving jerusalem, nephi was instructed by god to compose a second record focusing on spiritual matters. Aug 16, 2016 the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most significant scholarly contributions to understanding and appreciating the nephite record. Chiasmus can be used in the structure of entire passages to parallel concepts or ideas. The amazing true story of how chiasmus was discovered in the. The professor discussed the work of father paul gaechter, a catholic priest who had written a book titled, the literary art in the gospel of matthew. This article provides a fairly basic overview of the issue. Welch discovered a variety of instances of chiasmus in the book of mormon and along with his discovery came attention to the phenomenon. It is found in the bible and the quran and other ancient documents. Does chiasmus prove anything about the book of mormon. There will be a twoday conference held in the joseph smith building auditorium on byus campus on tuesday, august 15 th and wednesday, august 16 th. The presence of chiasmus in mayan texts may only disclose that the rhetorical device can emerge independently in the writings of an isolated ancient culture.
Book of mormon literature the encyclopedia of mormonism. Poetic structures and textual criticism of the book of mormon. The inverse parallelism that is the defining characteristic of chiasmus is thought to be difficult if not impossible to explain if joseph smith was the author. Chiasmus consists of patterns of words, thoughts, or concepts that lead to a central point of emphasis and then repeat in reverse order. Welch, chiasmus in the book of mormon maxwell institute. What can we learn from 10 of the best chiasms in the book of mormon. Chiasmus in the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. An anonymous author similarly suggests that chiasms in the book of mormon are the result of the incredible amount of repetition contained therein, and are well within the bounds of probability. It is basically inverted parallelism where words, phrases, or concepts are introduced in ascending order and then repeated in descending order.
Chiasmus in the book of mormon also provides a glimpse into nephite society and culture, and it reveals close affinities with ancient israelite and maya poetic and authorial methods. Such simple examples of chiasmus are well known in english speech. It is also found throughout the quran and the book of mormon. How did biblical and ancient near eastern authors use. In the early, stilldark hours of the morning, august 16, 1967, a young john w.
Apr 21, 2016 one of the main types of evidence to which mormons appeal in support of the authenticity of the book of mormon as ancient israelite literature is the rhetorical feature called chiasmus. The most famous example of this is chapter 36 of the book of alma. Thus it seems that we are able to meet the demands of an exceptionally strong conditional here. Did lehi use the poetry of the ancient bedouin by fair mormon. Arranging this memorable thought from the book of mormon into two lines reveals its poetic character. This video gives a brief description of a writing style called chiasmus, and tells the story of how one 20yearold latterday saint missionary first discovered its existence in the book of mormon. In a chiasmus, ideas will be put forth until they reach a central, main idea, at which point, the themes will repeat themselves in reverse order. Poetry in the book of mormon book of mormon central.
Chiasmus, or inverted parallelism, is a twopart literary structure or system in which the second half is a mirror image of the first, i. The most commonly cited example of chiasmus in the book of mormon is the prophet almas religious experience, as recorded in alma 36. Chiasmus can be found in biblical texts, as leviticus 24. Almas poetic reflections in alma 29, likely coming on the cusp of a jubilee year,19 are among. The conference sessions will have presentations by lds and nonlds scholars discussing chiasmus in the bible and in. For those unfamiliar with the term, chiasmus is an ancient literary device that has been found in greek, latin, and hebrew writings. What is chiasmus and why is it so important in the book of. To celebrate this day, we held a gala event on august 16th, for a chiasmus jubilee hosted and organized by byu studies and book of mormon central. What is chiasmus and how is it used in the book of mormon.
Chiasmus is an elegant literary device where parallel phrases are inverted. Chiasmus in the book of mormon judaicaworld archives. To help teach this truth, alma used a form of poetry called chiasmus. Submissions essay contest poetry contest contest winners cover art submissions. How did biblical and ancient near eastern authors use chiasmus. Discussed in detail in my thesis, a study relating chiasmus in the book of mormon to chiasmus in the old testament, ugaritic epics, homer and selected greek and latin authors m. What can we learn from 10 of the best chiasms in the book of. In this case breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth is the central formulation. Book of mormonanthropologylanguagehebraismschiasmus. Understanding the use of chiasmus in the book of mormon can benefit readers in many ways. The discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most. Chiasmus is a unique aspect of hebrew poetry that lays out ideas in a mirrored pattern. However, the present authors definition of chiasmus as the use of inverted parallelism of form andor content which moves toward and away from a strategic central component intentionally goes beyond norrmans statement in that it more explicitly mentions the literary dynamics of chiasmus in its fullest technical sense. The discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most significant scholarly.
Elder holland speaks at book of mormon chiasmus conference. This process, termed conceptual chiasmus, uses a crisscrossing rhetorical structure to cause an overlapping of intellectual space. Chiasmus is both a necessary and natural way of understanding book of mormon literature. Both chiasmus and antimetabole can be used to reinforce antithesis. Chiasmus as well as other forms of parallelism appears throughout the entirety of the book of mormon, both in prose and poetic passages. It is one of the clearest examples of chiasmus in the bible. On the impact of chiasmus on book of mormon studies, see robert f. Hebrew poetry in the book of mormon, zarahemla record. If chiasmus is evidence of hebrew style in the bible, it must be evidence of hebrew style in the book of mormon. For example, alma 36 is structured as an intricate chiasm with jesus christ as its central focus. Oct 26, 2012 see in particular the chapter on chiasmus. The academic study of chiasmus in modern times can be dated to the work of nils wilhelm lund who published articles in 1930 and 1931 and then a book entitled chiasmus in the new testament in 1942.
Welch discovered the presence of chiasmus on august 16, 1967 while on his mission in germany. Aug 22, 2016 the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most significant scholarly contributions to understanding and appreciating the nephite record. Chiasmus is in a literature if and only if its roots are hebraic. Poetry and literary forms book of mormon evidence duration. Parts of the book are presented in narrative form which typically doesnt use parallelisms, but this volume also arranges in their poetic form 325 instances of chiasmus and hundreds of additional parallel structures. It is claimed that the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon is either coincidental, an artifact of the observer, or not impressive since examples of chiastic patterns have been found in the doctrine and covenants or other 19th century writing. Nevertheless, we would expect it to be present in central america if writings of the book of mormon peoples endured and influenced ancient groups of american peoples. Chart 1520 gives an overview of the letter of paul to philemon. Those who were not so convinced insisted that it obviously read like anything but a hebrew text. In chiasmus, the clauses display inverted parallelism.
What more can we learn from 10 of the best chiasms in the book. Perhaps welch could have strengthened his premise by demonstrating that the parallel members in the book of mormon consist of semitic word pairs, the basis of ancient hebrew poetry. Watch book of mormon central s new video about the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon in john w. The first example of this found in the book of mormon is mosiah 5. While the book of mormon is richly chiastic, extensive structural chiasmus has yet to be found in any other literature in the world other than the hebrew. Chiasmus in the book of mormon mormonism, the mormon church. Home world elder holland speaks at book of mormon chiasmus conference. Because of its effects, poetry was not used in the book of mormon to report common events. Does chiasmus appear in the book of mormon by chance. Welch, chiasmus in the book of mormon, byu studies 10, no. Chiasmus in the book of mormon thoughts and truth from the. This year marks 50 years since the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon on august 16, 1967. Many latterday saints point out that the use of chiasmus in the book of mormon is proof that joseph smith translated a script that was hebrew in origin, since the chiasmus had not yet been discovered when the book of mormon was translated in 1829.
This book contains over 325 examples of chiasmus in the book of mormon probably the largest collection on chiasmus in a hardcopy book. Chiasmus was particularly popular in the literature of the ancient world, including hebrew, greek, ancient kiche maya, and latin, where it was used to articulate the balance of order within the text. Aug 11, 2009 i first heard about chiasmus in the book of mormon as a student at byu. The phenomenon which makes that possible is the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon. In the book of mormon, alma warned his son that wickedness never was happiness alma 41. Jesus christ is the crux of the chiasm, just as he is the center of the gospel.
A literary structure known as chiasmus exists in the book of mormon. Our mission is to build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book. Indeed, the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon may be evidence of joseph smiths own literary style and genius. Most important in the discovery of chiasmus is the explanation of the repetitious style of writing found in the book of mormon. Since that time, a steady stream of publications has greatly illuminated this profound and ancient literary feature. Forty years later, journal of book of mormon studies 16, no. Perhaps the mostquoted definition of chiasmus is given by nils wilhelm lund. Jesus christ is the crux of the chiasm, just as he is the center of the gospel and the only means whereby salvation can be attained. A there is an intelligent omnipotent being, who is selfexistent and infinitely b good and benevolent matter eternally existed.
In major passages of chiasmus, the most important regions tend to be the. It is claimed that the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon is either coincidental. It no longer contains current data and will be sunset by april 30, 2020. The examples are strong enough that they are difficult to explain if we assume that. It is used as a device through which the authors can focus our attention on the central ideas of their messages. In the first place, we have demonstrated the extensive existence of chiasmus in the book of mormon beyond any possible doubt. The complete text reformatted gives us the entire book of mormon in a new format. However, a recently recognized phenomenon in the book of mormon has now made it possible for us to cite many specific examples of passages in the book of mormon which bear the distinct stamp of an ancient hebraic literary form.
This discovery has changed the way we forever approach book of mormon scholarship. Although understated as literature in its clear and plain language, the book of mormon exhibits a wide variety of literary forms, including intricate hebraic poetry, memorable narratives, rhetorically effective sermons, diverse letters, allegory, figurative language, imagery, symbolic types, and wisdom literature. Interestingly, the book of mormon, which claims to have its literary roots in the ancient middle east, shows many excellent examples of what appear to be deliberate, crafted chiasmus. Instead, it was used for more formal speech, such as sermons, instructions, and especially prophecy. Book of mormonevidenceshebraismschiasmus fairmormon. Those who were not so credulous insisted that it obviously read like anything but a hebrew text. The complete text reformatted comprises the entire text of the book of mormon formatted into historical narrative or paralletistic forms. A chiasm or chiasmus if you rather is a writing style that uses a unique repetition pattern for clarification and emphasis. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center. Chiasmus in the book of mormon the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most significant scholarly contributions to understanding and appreciating the nephite record. Chiasmus in the book of mormon philosophies of men mingled. The amazing true story of how chiasmus was discovered in. Some claim that the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon is either coincidental, an artifact of the observer, or not impressive since examples of chiastic patterns have been found in the doctrine and covenants or other 19th century writing. One of the chiastic passages welch initially discovered occurs in king benjamins speech in mosiah 5.
Poetic parallelisms in the book of mormon donald w. Chiasmus in the book of abraham pearl of great price central. The gold plates given to joseph smith contained mormon s abridged version of nephis large plates and provided most of the text for the book of mormon from the book of mosiah to the book of mormon. In the late 1960s, a young latterday saint discovered that an ancient form of middle eastern poetry was found throughout the book of mormon, suggestive of its ancient semitic origins. How much could joseph smith have known about chiasmus in 1829. Solomon spaulding wrote a manuscript that is now missing some critics believe it is the actual source of the book of mormon had another book, manuscript found, in which appears the following chiasmus. Chiasmus conference speakers book of mormon central. Why is the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon. Chiasmus in the scriptures biblical chiasm exchange. Some lds writers are trying to establish the historicity of the book of mormon by. The event was sponsored by byu studies and book of mormon central, a private nonprofit organization that seeks to. Chiasmus and the book of mormon utah lighthouse ministry. First, chiasmus in the book of mormon demonstrates that the text is orderly, complex, rich, and aesthetically pleasing.
The discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most significant scholarly contributions to understanding and appreciating the nephite record. This is done by placing the central idea at the turning point of the chiasm. Learn what this chiasm emphasizes and how it can help us understand the negative consequences of wickedness. Chiasmus in the book of mormon book of mormon central. It is claimed that the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon is either coincidental, an artifact of the observer, or not impressive since examples of chiastic patterns have been found in the doctrine and covenants or other 19th.
If chiasmus in the book of mormon is claimed as positive evidence that it is translated from ancient israelite literature and that its composition was beyond the abilities of joseph smith, then the burden of proof is on mormon scholars to show using objective criteria that the supposed instances of chiasmus are genuine. Chiasmus makes this poem harmonic, complete, and brilliant. Chart 1519 helps a reader to follow the logic of the epistle to the galatians, focusing especially on the central chiasm in galatians 4. In his blessing to his son helaman, alma uses chiasmus in recounting his conversion to the gospel of.
Sep 01, 2015 this video gives a brief description of a writing style called chiasmus, and tells the story of how one 20yearold latterday saint missionary first discovered its existence in the book of mormon. Aug 29, 2017 since welchs discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon fifty years ago, chiasmus has become one of the most frequently cited evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon as ancient literature, and therefore as having been translated miraculously by joseph smith. Chiasmus in the book of mormon from the day the book of mormon rolled off the press in 1830, those who gave it credence asserted that it obviously read like a hebrew text. Welch discovered the presence of chiasmus on august 16, 1967 while on his mission in germany, and since that time, chiasmus has served as a profound witness for the beauty and complexity of the book of mormon. As part of a larger effort by nephi to use chiasmus and other poetic forms to testify of christ,21 this chiasm forms.
Chiasmus is a term based on the greek letter chi x which refers to an inverted parallelism or sequence of words or ideas in a. The book was republished in 1992 and the preface written by two academics summarises the reception of the original book. Practically since the day the book of mormon rolled off the press in 1830, those who believed in the book asserted that it obviously read like a hebrew text. The term chiasmus is never used, but this book clearly shows that hebrew poetic styles were recognized and studied even before joseph smiths time. Book of mormon central is designed and built by people who love the book of mormon.
First noticed in the nineteenth century, the ubiquitousness of chiasmus in hebrew scripture became widely acknowledged in the early and midtwentieth century. Why did king benjamin use poetic parallels so extensively. Chiasmus, the book of mormon, and the aquarian gospel. Chiasmus was popular in the ancient languages like greek, latin, and especially hebrew. Mosiah 3 chiasmus by book of mormon central in the case of the book of mormon, chiasmus can add impressive evidence that its underlying texts manifest subtle features that are consistent with ancient writingsbut only when the proposed chiasms are identified through judicious and principled textual analysis. While there, on preparation day, he attended a lecture given by a german bible scholar. Chiasmus is a biblical literary form, where the writer lists certain key words or ideas in one order, and then goes back and repeats them in the opposite order. Why is the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon significant. Chiasmus is a structural form that has been used in both poetry and prose. Chiasmus in the book of mormon philosophies of men.