Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon

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Criticism

Critics 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.

Response

The response should be brief and summary in nature.

Conclusion

A summary of the argument against the criticism.

Further reading

FAIR wiki articles

• Links to related articles in the wiki

FAIR web site

• FAIR Topical Guide:

External links

• John W. Welch, “Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon,” New Era (Feb. 1976): 6.

Printed material

• Noel B. Reynolds, "Nephi's Outline," BYU Studies 20:2 (1980): 131–49, reprinted in Noel B. Reynolds and Charles D. Tate (eds.), Book of Mormon Authorship: New Light on Ancient Origins (Provo, Utah : Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University ; Salt Lake City, Utah : Distributed by Bookcraft, 1996 [1982]), 53–74.
• John W. Welch, "A Masterpiece: Alma 36," in John L. Sorenson and Melvin J. Thorne (eds.), ‘'Rediscovering the Book of Mormon’' (Salt Lake City, Utah : Deseret Book Co. ; Provo, Utah : Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1991), 114–31. ISBN 0875793878.[1]
• John W. Welch, "Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon," BYU Studies 10:1 (1969): 69–84; revised slightly for Noel B. Reynolds and Charles D. Tate (eds.), Book of Mormon Authorship: New Light on Ancient Origins (Provo, Utah : Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University ; Salt Lake City, Utah : Distributed by Bookcraft, 1996 [1982]) 33–52.
• John W. Welch, "Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon," in Chiasmus in Antiquity: Structures, Analyses, Exegesis, edited by John W. Welch, (Hildesheim: Gerstenberg, 1981).
• John W. Welch, "Chiasmus in Hel. 6:7-13" (Provo: FARMS, 1987).