This chart illustrates the deep structure of alma 36. The phenomenon which makes that possible is the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon. As a byu grad, byu sports fan, and currently a byu dad, im a big byu supporter. The essays in chiasmus in antiquity, first published in germany in 1981, examine the use and effect of chiasmus in the old and new testaments and the book of mormon, as well as in sumeroakkadian, ugaritic, talmudic, greek, and latin literatures. Outside of his family and religious duties, he has devoted much of his life to family history research and was both amused and somewhat sobered in the 1970s to see references to young school children listed in the. Those who were not so credulous insisted that it obviously read like anything but. Criteria for identifying and evaluating the presence of chiasmus by john welch, from journal of book of mormon studies, volume 4, issue 2, 1995. Welch 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. While there, on preparation day, he attended a lecture given by a german bible scholar. 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.
Chiasmus in the book of mormon book of mormon central. Book of mormonevidenceshebraismschiasmus fairmormon. Does chiasmus appear in the book of mormon by chance. The pattern chiasmus creates here serves to reiterate and elaborate upon ideas. Chiasmus in the book of mormon philosophies of men. But, together with recent stats showing that chiasmus, a literary device used heavily in ancient hebrew writings, was purposefully woven into the book of. Both chiasmus and antimetabole can be used to reinforce antithesis. Some of these examples may seem to be compelling, but when closely examined, they turn out to be little more than wishful thinking. The discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon is one of the most significant scholarly contributions to understanding and appreciating the nephite record. Why is the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon. In the first place, we have demonstrated the extensive existence of chiasmus in the book of mormon beyond any possible doubt.
But in the case of the chiasms from the book of mormon, these objections can be tossed aside as unconvincing, unsatisfactory, unimaginative, and unintelligent. So it is, in my opinion, with the issue of chiasmus in the book of mormon. 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. The discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon would have a profound impact on academic efforts to study of the book of mormon as an authentic ancient hebrew text.
All of the long, complex examples that mormon scholar john welch has analyzed turn out on closer inspection not to be good examples of chiasmus at all. Old testament, new testament, book of mormon, and other literature. Jubilee marks 50 years from book of mormon chiasmus discovery. 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 mormonism, the mormon church. 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. Should we consider it contrived that ishmael is mentioned only twice in the entire book of mormon and that these two occurrences just happen to fall symmetrically around 1 nephi 11. 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. Welch argues in favor of ancient origins for book of mormon chiasmus, demonstrating that public awareness of this style was slight in america when the book of mormon was translated. In 1967, while serving in the lds south german mission, welch and his companion attended a lecture in the catholic priesterseminar which talked about the use of chiasmus in. Now, 50 years since welchs discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon, we see that his find is still reverberating in scholarly publications on the book of mormon. Video on the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon. In 1967, while serving in the lds south german mission, welch and his companion attended a lecture in the catholic priesterseminar which talked about the use of chiasmus in the gospel of matthew. Biblicaljudaic and islamic perspectives isbn 0931464390 he is a contributing scholar for the joseph smith papers project.
Dec 19, 2019 chiasmus, or inverted parallelism, is a twopart literary structure or system in which the second half is a mirror image of the first, i. Welch discovered a variety of instances of chiasmus in the book of mormon and along with his discovery came attention to the phenomenon. Welch, chiasmus in the book of mormon, in book of mormon authorship. Chiasmus in the book of abraham pearl of great price central. Welch, chiasmus in the book of mormon, byu studies 1969.
The essays in chiasmus in antiquity, first published in germany in 1981, examine the use and effect of. Welch speaks during the chiasmus jubilee celebrating the 50th anniversary of his discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon. Welch recalled in the video gaechters fatherly words after welchs explanation of the chiasms he had found in the book of mormon. In addition to teaching tax law, welch is wellknown in the concentric. John welch accidentally discovered chiasmus in the book of mormon in the late sixties. 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. Welch was the first to notice chiastic structures in the book of mormon. How else, except by chiasmus, can we explain the postponed interpretation of the vision of the tree. That ye may learn wisdom is the most substantial collection of studies ever to focus exclusively on this landmark address. Such simple examples of chiasmus are well known in english speech.
It lists about 900 works on chiasmus by author and title and includes full publication information. 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. Greg welch has produced a youtube video telling the story of how his father, john w. It is found in the bible and the quran and other ancient documents. I highly recommend this production which runs for 10 minutes and 9 seconds.
Some people, of course, have gone overboard with this search, and caution must be employed. Welch recalled in the video gaechters fatherly words after welch s explanation of the chiasms he had found in the book of mormon. Instead of burying it deep in the academic journals, lets put it out in. 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. For readers of the book of mormon, king benjamins speech is a treasure trove of inspiration, wisdom, eloquence, and spiritual insight. His finding, published in byu studies as chiasmus in the book of mormon in 1969, 1 and subsequent publications have shaped scholarly inquiry into the linguistic aspects and historical origin of the book of mormon. The amazing true story of how chiasmus was discovered in. Jack and jeannie welch, has just posted an excellent youtube video entitled the amazing true story of how chiasmus was discovered in the book of mormon. Apr 21, 2016 in several articles, i have examined specific cases of alleged chiasmus in the book of mormon. Chiasmus, the book of mormon, and the aquarian gospel. Thomas professor of law at brigham young university, and was for 27 years editorinchief of byu studies, the premier latterday saint scholarly journal. John welch has written quite a bit on chiasmus and is credited to be the first to identify chiastic patterns in the book of mormon. A significant development during the second half of the 20th century was the growing awareness and understanding of chiasmus in ancient literature.
The discovery of chiasmus in the bom by common consent. Welch discovered the presence of chiasmus on august 16, 1967 while on his mission in germany, a steady stream of publications since that time has thrown much light on this matter. 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. This volume is a collection of articles focusing on chiastic patterns in various ancient near eastern literary sources. The amazing true story of how chiasmus was discovered in the. Chiasmus was popular in the ancient languages like greek, latin, and especially hebrew. Book of mormonanthropologylanguagehebraismschiasmus. Time now for a few final evaluations of what we have learned about chiasmus in the book of mormon.
Those who were not so convinced insisted that it obviously read like anything but a hebrew text. Chiasmus is both a necessary and natural way of understanding book of mormon literature. 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. A literary structure known as chiasmus exists in the book of mormon. Practically since the day the book of mormon rolled off the press in 1830, those who believed in the. Gregs love for his father is evident, and johns truth seeking character is exemplary. In 1969, welch published an article on the subject in byu studies. More details can now be known about the key events that anchor our historical understandings of the pace of translation, about.
A much longer and very elegant biblical example of chiasmus is leviticus 24. The 10minute video, titled the amazing true story of how chiasmus was discovered in the book of mormon, recounts the events leading up to the day in 1967 when john welch was a 20yearold missionary in germany, and how attending a scholarly. This form of inverted parallelism has been found in the bible, the book of mormon, and in many other ancient writings. Chiasmus itself can be understood in two distinct ways. In this passage, every single phrase is mirrored by a related phrase. Chiasmus it is claimed by many within the lds church that special literary patterns found in hebrew writing are also found in the book of mormon, which they feel helps prove that book comes from ancient jewish origins and not from joseph smiths mind. The chiastic structure, according to welch, is as follows. Indeed, the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon may be evidence of joseph smiths own literary style and genius. Chiasmus in the book of mormon lds church is true blog. Gregory welch, charting the book of mormon 1999 chiasmus bibliography 1999.
These verses from the book of mormon use chiasmus to build an argument for embracing god. Select one of the links above to view examples of chiasmus in various books 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 is an elegant literary device where parallel phrases are inverted. Aug 16, 2017 the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon would have a profound impact on academic efforts to study of the book of mormon as an authentic ancient hebrew text. The book of mormons unique claims present the lds faith with a. How chiasmus was discovered in the book of mormon greg welch. What is chiasmus and why is it so important in the book of. Be sure to see john welch s lecture, chiasmus in the book of mormon, in quicktime or windows media player formats. Chiasms appear in greek, latin, english and other languages, but it was most highly developed in hebrew.
Some other useful resources include the video of john welch s lecture, chiasmus in the book of mormon a masterful 54minute lesson that could be a valuable resource for a class or any serious student of the book of mormon. The story told in this video, of the 1967 discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon by missionary john jack welch, is a miraculous evidence of the restoration by itself. He found that not only are chiasmic structures found in the book of mormon, but that they cover whole chapters and books. 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.
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 in the book of mormon mormonism, the mormon. Apostles and bishops in early christianity 2004 john w. Those who were not so credulous insisted that it obviously read like anything but a hebrew text.
While serving as a young missionary in germany, welch discovered many instances of the chiasmus literary form in the book of mormon. Be sure to read john welch s chapter, chiasmus in the book of mormon. Chiasmus in the book of mormon is both a necessary and a natural way of explaining some things in the book of mormon. Aug 18, 2017 wednesday was the fiftieth anniversary of welchs discovery. Welch discovered the first instance of chiasmus in the book of mormon in 1967. Welch meticulously tracks the timeline of the book of mormons translation. 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. He is an lds religion and law scholar who is credited with discovering the many instances of the ancient literary form of chiasmus in the book of mormon. At remarks given at brigham young university wednesday, john welch, who first identified the ancient writing style chiasmus in the book of mormon, said, the discoveries of chiasmus whether in the book of mormon or in the bible belong to all of us. Welch published his article chiasmus in the book of mormon new era, february 1972, and ehat has been a student of chiasmus ever since. Elder holland speaks at book of mormon chiasmus conference. Willes book of mormon lecture is now available online. Chiasmus in the book of mormon judaicaworld archives. 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.
Because of previous exposure to the ancient literary device, john welch correctly identified mosiah 5. 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. Since that time, several other examples of chiasmus have been found in the book of mormon, and both lds and nonlds scholars have come to better understand how chiasmus was used in the bible, the book of mormon, and additional ancient texts from both the old and new worlds. As it turns out, some of the most meaningful and wellconstructed examples of this form of writing found anywhere in the world appear in the pages of the book of mormon john w.
Lds scholar john welch has analyzed this passage as a chiasmus and has argued that within this chiasmus there is one and perhaps two smaller instances of chiasmus1. Welch was a missionary serving in regensburg, germany, and chiasmus was an ancient literary technique he had only recently learned about. Jubilee marks 50 years from book of mormon chiasmus. For this article i am going to discuss an ancient literary form known as chiasmus. Welch discovered the presence of chiasmus on august 16, 1967 while on his mission in germany,2 a steady stream of publications since that time has thrown much light on this matter. The most famous example of this is chapter 36 of the book of alma.
Now, 50 years since welch s discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon, we see that his find is still reverberating in scholarly publications on the book of mormon. These essays have been reprinted in this first american edition because of their lasting value for. He had been studying chiasmus in homer and other ancient books and reasoned that it should be expected in the book of mormon. Welch 1946 discovered chiasmus in the book of mormon and founded the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms. As explained by welch in his groundbreaking 1969 publication, since the book of mormon contains numerous chiasms, it thus becomes logical to consider the book a product of the ancient world and to judge its literary qualities accordingly. 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. Chiasmus, a columnist and conviction in the book of mormon. The most commonly cited example of chiasmus in the book of mormon is the prophet almas religious experience, as recorded in alma 36.
John welch brought much of chiastic structure in the book of mormon to the forefront. 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. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982, 3352. In chiasmus, the clauses display inverted parallelism. Since welchs discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon fifty years ago. In his blessing to his son helaman, alma uses chiasmus in recounting his conversion to the gospel of jesus christ.
Chiasmus in the book of mormon is both a necessary and a natural way of explaining some things in the book of mormon that go unaccounted for otherwise. Oct 05, 2016 john welch tells the remarkable story of being a young missionary and discovering chiasmus. The most commonly referenced pattern is a type of parallelism, called a chiasm. The latest journal of book of mormon studies, 162 2007, features a personal remiscence by jack welch of his discovery of chiasmus in the bom on wednesday, august 16, 1967. While a missionary for the lds church in regensburg, germany, john welch studied mosiah 5. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center. Chiasmus and the book of mormon utah lighthouse ministry. Chiasmus in the book of mormon brigham young university. Welch the discovery of chiasmus 92316 book of mormon central.
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