Oct 25, 2026

Mormon's 3rd Nephi Chiasmus

Mormon’s 3rd Nephi Chiasmus
Rick Erekson
October 25, 2026
Several Book of Mormon authors used chiastic structure to highlight and teach important principles and doctrines. Frequently, the author’s most important point is featured in the center of the chiasm. The most important event of The Book of Mormon is Jesus Christ’s personal visit to the people of the Americas after his resurrection.
This warrants a search of 3 Nephi for chiastic elements. Why wouldn’t the most important event be showcased in the most carefully crafted manner? Before such a search begins, those familiar with the book of 3 Nephi might have good ideas about the possible chiastic central point of the book. On the whole, Jesus Christ is the central point of 3 Nephi.
Setting 3 Nephi aside for a moment, one could argue that the Savior’s central message is the great commandment, to love God and love others. The central events in Christ’s life are Gethsemane, Calvary, and the empty tomb. But those elements are not explicitly detailed in 3 Nephi.
In 3 Nephi, we are left to Mormon’s compilation of stories and events in the Americas that shortly preceded Christ’s birth, the events that took place during the nearly 34 years prior to Christ’s personal visit, the chapters detailing the 3 days of His visits, and a few chapters of Mormon’s commentary directly after Christ’s visit. In addition to an account of these special 34 years of Book of Mormon history, what we may see in 3 Nephi is a view through a few of Mormon’s own lenses.
It is likely that Mormon included things he saw through at least three lenses: 1) His disintegrated society on the brink of total destruction; 2) His inspired knowledge of our latter-day conditions; and 3) His own purpose statement for his entire abridgement:
“And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil;” (Mormon 3:20).
In light of John Welch’s recommendation that, when presenting a potential chiastic structure, “the burden of persuasion rests on any person describing a passage as chiastic.” (1) I propose the following 31 part chiastic structure found throughout the entire book of 3 Nephi. First in standard chiastic form, then in side-by-side comparison.

A 1:22-23 despite lyings and deceivings many were baptized for remission of sins
B 2:2 imagined vain things in hearts
  C 2:3 Satan tempted, caused wickedness
   D 3:25 united in one physical location
    E 4:30-33 call upon the name of God
     F 5:1-3 all believed (spiritual unity)
      G 5:8 records do not contain 100th part of what happened
       H 5:20-25 Mormon is a pure descendant of Lehi
        I 6:3-5 former robbers enter into a covenant and then prosper
         J 6:13-14 believers persecuted but remain immovable
          K 6:23 righteous who testified were murdered by secret combinations
           L 6:29 corrupt judges combine and covenant to destroy righteous
            M 7:2 all people are divided against one another
             N 7:5 division came because they yielded to the power of Satan
              O 7:12 wicked leader Jacob attempts to settle north and build a kingdom
               P 8:5-9:12 Jesus destroyed the wicked cities
                Q 9:16-17 law of Moses, scripture are fulfilled in Christ
                 R 9:18 I am the light of the world
                  S 9:20 come to Jesus and He’ll baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire
                   T 10:6 Christ gathers those who repent with full purpose of heart
                    U 11:11 I am the light of the world
                     V 11:14-15 Christ showed, allowed them to touch His wounded body
                      W 11:21 I give unto you power that ye shall baptize
                       X 11:38 become as a little child
                        Y 12:13 salt of the earth, salt without savor is trodden
                         Z 12:46 things of old under the law in me are fulfilled
                          AA 13:5-13 Christ taught how to pray
                           BB 13:22-23 if thine eye be evil
                            CC 13:25-31 take no thought for your life
                             DD 13:32 ye have need of all these things
                              EE 13:33 seek ye first the kingdom of God
                             DD 13:33 all these things will be added unto you
                            CC 13:34 take no thought for the morrow
                           BB 14:3-5 first cast the beam out of thine own eye
                          AA 14:7-11 Christ taught why to pray
                         Z 15:5 the law is fulfilled in me
                        Y 16:15 Gentiles to repent or be as salt and trodden under foot
                       X 17:21 Jesus blessed the little children
                      W 18:5 I give unto you power to break bread
                     V 18:7 eat in remembrance of my body
                    U 18:24 hold up your light, I am the light you should hold up
                   T 18:32 not cast out, the sinner may repent w/ full purpose of heart
                  S 19:13-14 after baptized they were filled with Holy Ghost and fire
                 R 19:25 Jesus’ countenance did shine on them
                Q 20:23-26 I am he of whom Moses and prophets were testifying
               P 21:14-21 Jesus quotes Isaiah’s foretelling of great destruction
              O 21:22 the Lord will gather a remnant of Jacob, give land, establish church
             N 21:25 power from heaven will help gather
            M 21:28 the Lord will gather His people
           L 22:15-17 those who gather against and form weapons will be destroyed
          K 23:11 Jesus commanded writing down names of those who rose from dead
         J 24:2-3 believers are purged by the refiner’s fire
        I 24:8-11 those who rob God are promised prosperity if they repent and tithe
       H 25:5 Elijah will come and turn the hearts of children to their fathers
      G 26:6 records do not contain a 100th part of what Jesus taught
     F 26:19-20 all things in common (spiritual and temporal unity)
    E 27:5-9 call upon the Father in my name and the church will be blessed
   D 28:23 united to one church
  C 28:39 Satan had no power to tempt them
B 29:3 you need not imagine in your hearts these words are vain
A 30:2 turn from lyings and deceivings, be baptized for a remission of sin
Below is a side-by-side comparison with descriptive commentary showing the chiastic connections.
Chiasmus in The Third Book of Nephi
Matching Pair
Parallel or similar opposite
Main Idea
Commentary
A
1:22-23
30:2
despite Satan's 'lyings and deceivings' many were baptized and received a remission of sins/ turn from your lyings and deceivings and be baptized for a remission of your sins
remission of sins
The specific phrases 'lyings and deceivings' and 'remission of sins' are the markers for Mormon's opening chiastic pair. In many of Mormon's chiastic pairs, the first element describes what happened to the Book of Mormon people, while in the subsequent element Mormon offers modern readers how to apply the doctrine or principle. In this case we are to turn away from our 'lyings and deceivings' and be baptized for a remission of sins.
B
2:2
29:3
Imagined vain things in hearts/ Need not imagine in your hearts that these words are vain
hearts
Here again, Mormon describes the mistake people made of 'Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts' to explain away the miracles they witnessed, and then gives counsel to modern readers: 'ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain', referring to the miraculous events that brought us the words of the Book of Mormon.
C
2:3
28:39
Satan tempted and caused them to do great wickedness/ Satan had no power to tempt them
Satan's power
Mormon compares the power Satan had to tempt and cause people to do great wickedness before Christ came, to the power the three Nephites were given by Christ, wherein Satan had no power to tempt them. Mormon demonstrates the impact that Christ can have in our ability to resist Satan's powerful temptations.
D
3:25
28:23
believers united in one physical location/ converts united into one church
unity
In the face of Giddianhi's threat, Lachoneus gathered all of the Nephites into one physical location. Mormon compares this to the hostility the three transfigured Nephites experienced, and the result of their preaching, which was the conversion of people unto the Lord and "one church". While we might want to gather to the same physical location due to the wickedness of the world, Mormon's emphasis is that what is most important is the spiritual gathering to one church. Whatever threat we face, there is safety and protection within the Lord's church.
E
4:30-33
27:5-9
this people shall call upon the name of God/ call upon the Father in my name and church will be blessed
name of Christ
After their deliverance from the robbers, they acknowledged it was because they had called upon the name of God. For modern readers, Mormon expands the importance of the name of Christ by including the Savior's charge to take on His name, call the church by His name, and do everything in His name in order to gain favor with the Father.
F
5:1-3
26:19-20
all believed in the all the prophets and forsook all sins/ they had all things in common and did all things that Jesus commanded
complete unity
Note the four uses of the word, "all" in these verses of chapter 5. Mormon describes a complete spiritual unification of the Nephites and compares that to the complete spiritual and temporal unification of the people visited by Christ, who had all things in common and did all things whatsoever Christ commanded. This reference to the law of consecration is significant in foreshadowing Mormon's chiastic center point.
G
5:8
26:6
records do not contain a 100th part of what happened to the people/ records do not contain a 100th part of what Jesus taught the people
100th part
This pair is a distinct indicator of Mormon's chiastic structure. There may also be a point of emphasis to help us understand just how much Mormon could have written, or wanted to include, but just didn't have space or time.
H
5:20-25
25:5
Mormon is a pure descendant of Lehi/ Elijah will come and turn the hearts of the children to their fathers
family history and work for the dead
It is easy to sense Mormon's deep feelings and connection to his ancestors as he states his pure lineage from Lehi. His heart has been turned to his fathers and he adds the application of Malachi's prophecy to the future turning of Lehi's descendants' hearts to their fathers.
I
6:3-5
24:8-11
former robbers enter into a covenant and prosper/ those who robbed God of tithes are promised great prosperity if they repent and give tithes and offerings
robbers can repent
A pertinent message to disciples of Christ to share the gospel with everyone and welcome those who were once hostile. Similarly, an invitation to the former hostile enemies of the saints that they are welcome to repent and join the followers of Christ. This is true for any type of sinner, but Mormon specifies robbers and robbing God to highlight the chiasmus.
J
6:13-14
24:2-3
believers afflicted with persecution but remain immovable/ believers are purged by the refiner's fire
affliction and refinement
It is the refiner's fire that makes silver pure and valuable, and it is affliction that can make saints immovable. Without resistance it is impossible to tell if one is actually immovable.
K
6:23
23:11
righteous men who testified boldly of Christ's resurrection were murdered by secret combinations/ Jesus commanded them to record that righteous saints rose from the dead and ministered unto many
rise up and defend Jesus with your life and He will raise you up to eternal life
Would those who were murdered for testifying of the resurrection 4 years prior not have been among these resurrected saints? Mormon highlights the Redeemer's universal gift of resurrection as if to remind us not to take for granted the magnitude of that promised blessing, or the importance of sharing that news no matter the cost.
L
6:29
22:15-17
corrupt judges combined and covenanted to destroy the righteous/ they shall gather against thee... but fall for thy sake. The Lord destroys. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper
Conspiring corruption against the Lord's people
Being destroyed is mentioned in both pairs. Evil people will covenant and combine to destroy, but the Lord will destroy those that combine and covenant against his people.
M
7:2
21:28
all people are divided against one another/ the Lord will gather His people
division vs gathering
This pair and the next two highlight the latter-day gathering.
N
7:5-6
21:24-25
division came because they yielded to the power of Satan/ power from heaven will help gather
division vs gathering
The government was destroyed and people split into tribes because of the iniquity that resulted from yielding themselves to the power of Satan. In the latter-days, power from heaven will come down as the Father gathers his scattered people into the New Jerusalem. Both elements have references to government. The Nephite/Lamanite government was destroyed, whereas a government will be Christ's for the New Jerusalem ("I will also be in their midst").
O
7:12
21:22
wicked leader named Jacob attempts to settle land north and build a kingdom/ The Lord will gather a remnant of Jacob, establish His Church and give them land of inheritance
gathering and building
Another clear indication of Mormon's intentional chiastic structure in the mention of three elements as well as a solid example of his use of opposites in a single pair: Two different Jacobs with opposing motives, land for personal gain contrasted with a land of inheritance from the Lord, and two different building projects- one for the purpose of building one's personal kingdom, the other for establishing the Lord's church.
P
8:5-9:12
21:14-21
Jesus destroyed the wicked cities/ Jesus quotes Isaiah's foretelling of great destruction of the wicked
destruction (justice)
Mormon details the destruction of many cities and then includes Christ's own words where the Savior lists 15 cities He destroyed and tells the survivors why they were destroyed. Mormon's second chiastic element in this pair includes Isaiah's warnings of cities being cut off and destroyed, but Mormon directs those words to modern day Gentiles.
Q
9:16-17
20:23-26
law of Moses, scriptures are fulfilled in Christ/ I am who Moses & prophets were testifying of
prophecies, law, and covenants
This pair contains multiple connections. The first element includes fulfillment of scripture, and the law of Moses, and that believers become the sons of God. The second element links Moses, children of prophets and expounds 'sons of God' into becoming 'children of the covenant.
R
9:18
19:25
I am the light of the world/ Jesus' countenance did shine on them
light
Jesus exclaimed "I am the light of the world" to a group of survivors that were sitting in physical darkness. Mormon pairs this with these same people later experiencing the literal light beaming from Christ's countenance and gives the modern reader space to imagine a future day when they will experience the same.
S
9:20
19:13-14
come to Jesus and he'll baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire/ after they were baptized they were filled with the Holy Ghost and encircled by fire
Holy Ghost and fire (ordinances)
To a people sitting in such thick darkness, where no fire could be kindled, and to have witnessed destruction by fire, now to hear the Lord promise of being baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire must have made an impression. The second element of this chiasmus is when this occurs a short time later at the baptism of the 12 disciples when the multitude witnesses fire coming to encircle the 12 disciples.
T
10:6
18:32
Christ gathers those who repent with a full purpose of heart/ do not cast the sinner out as they may repent and come to Christ with a full purpose of heart
full purpose of heart
The first element is an invitation to all to repent with a full purpose of heart. In the second element Mormon includes that same language but the invitation is for modern saints to avoid casting out or forgetting those who have left the church. Rather continue to minister to them because, "ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart..."
U
11:11
18:24
I am the light of the world/ Hold up your light for the world, I am the light you should hold up
light
A powerful pair and strong indicator of the chiastic structure and recommended action for modern readers. It is not just that Jesus is the Light, Mormon urges us to hold up His light.
V
11:14-15
18:7
Christ showed and allowed them to touch his wounded body/ eat in remembrance of my body
remember Christ's bodily sacrifice (ordinances)
It is not just that Jesus offered His body, we are to meet, eat and remember His sacrifice. (This powerful pair causes modern readers to imagine experiencing the feeling of Christ's glorified, wounded body like the people in chapter 11, and then to imagine remembering that experience while partaking of the bread probably only days after Christ ended His visit. It is as if Mormon is suggesting this thought process for latter-day saints participating in the weekly ordinance.)
W
11:21
18:5
I give unto you power that ye shall baptize/ there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread
Christ's power (ordinances)
While emphasizing authority, Mormon shows the connection between baptism and the renewal of that covenant with the sacrament.
X
11:38
17:21
become as a little child/ Jesus blessed the little children one by one
become
The first element is the Lord's charge to become as a little child and in the second element we gain additional insight into the blessings of becoming as a little child.
Y
12:13
16:15
you must be the salt of the earth, but salt without savor will be trodden under the foot of men/ the Gentiles must repent or they will be as salt that has lost its savor and trodden under the foot of the House of Israel
salt (influence)
Salt with no savor being trodden under foot is an important message for the few saints living among so many of the world. These elements are also a strong match to show Mormon's chiasmus continues. It is not just a reminder of becoming the salt of the earth, but attention is given to the responsibility covenant people have to add savor to the world or be trodden under foot.
Z
12:46
15:5
those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled/ the law in me is fulfilled
law
This pair is straight forward, but could be expanded to add in more verses to include the doctrine of covenants, obedience, perfection through Christ and eternal life. Chapter 12:28 is the Savior's invitation to be perfect as He is, and chapter 15:7-9 includes the future covenants to be fulfilled and the promise of eternal life.
aa
13:5-13
14:7-11
Christ taught how to pray/ Christ taught why to pray
prayer
The first element includes instructions on how to pray with sample language and the second element reminds us we are praying to our Father who cares for and wants to bless us.
bb
13:22-23
14:3-5
if thine eye be evil.../ first cast the beam out of thine own eye
worldview, attitude, pride
Again, Mormon gives modern readers instruction about our attitude, or having light in our eyes, but also warns us to beware of judging others' attitudes before correcting our own.
cc
13:25-31
13:34
take no thought for your life/ take no thought for the morrow
mind, thoughts, thinking
Mormon's initial element is given to the Savior's 12 ordained disciples as a framework for their future ministry. It is worth noting here that 13:25 in the original Book of Mormon manuscript of 1830, is the beginning of a new chapter (6). The second element of this chiasmus is a summary statement: "Take therefore, no thought for the morrow."
dd
13:32
13:33
Ye have need of all these things/ All these things will be added unto you
Your needs
Mormon knew from the Lord of our present day struggles with highly competitive, high-priced, high-pressured, highly scrutinized, and highly scheduled lives. This simple promise is so pertinent. The Lord knows we need to pay the bills and work hard to survive, He will bless and prosper His people.
ee
13:33
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
Seek God's kingdom first
In our day with such a strong emphasis on building up ourselves, homes, portfolios, companies, organizations, or social influence, Mormon's central emphasis is the Lord's invitation to build God's kingdom first.

Conclusion
Mormon’s chiasmus emphasizes Jesus Christ in many important ways. While many Book of Mormon chiastic structures place Christ’s doctrine, or atoning sacrifice at the center, Mormon uses the pairs leading up to the center to help us more clearly see how to apply the doctrines and principles of Christ’s gospel. His center point highlights the need to be working on and building up Christ’s kingdom as a way to remain in the world, but not of the world. Mormon’s construction of 3 Nephi also aligns with what is experienced in the temple endowment. Like 3 Nephi, the endowment is focused heavily on Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice with invitations to enter into covenants with the Lord. Like the endowment, Mormon’s 3 Nephi chiasmus displays the power of Christ and leads us towards a covenant to consecrate all with which we have been blessed to build up God’s kingdom.

End Notes:

John W. Welch, Criteria for Identifying and Evaluating the Presence of Chiasmus Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4/2 (1995): p. 3 https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&context=jbms

Chiasmus in The Third Book of Nephi
Matching Pair			Parallel or similar opposite	Main Idea	Commentary
A	1:22-23	30:2	despite Satan's 'lyings and deceivings' many were baptized and received a remission of sins/ turn from your lyings and deceivings and be baptized for a remission of your sins	remission of sins	The specific phrases 'lyings and deceivings' and 'remission of sins' are the markers for Mormon's opening chiastic pair. In many of Mormon's chiastic pairs, the first element describes what happened to the Book of Mormon people, while in the subsequent element Mormon offers modern readers how to apply the doctrine or principle. In this case we are to turn away from our 'lyings and deceivings' and be baptized for a remission of sins.
B	2:2	29:3	Imagined vain things in hearts/ Need not imagine in your hearts that these words are vain	hearts	Here again, Mormon describes the mistake people made of 'Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts' to explain away the miracles they witnessed, and then gives counsel to modern readers: 'ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain', referring to the miraculous events that brought us the words of the Book of Mormon.
C	2:3	28:39	Satan tempted and caused them to do great wickedness/ Satan had no power to tempt them	Satan's power	Mormon compares the power Satan had to tempt and cause people to do great wickedness before Christ came, to the power the three Nephites were given by Christ, wherein Satan had no power to tempt them. Mormon demonstrates the impact that Christ can have in our ability to resist Satan's powerful temptations.
D	3:25	28:23	believers united in one physical location/ converts united into one church	unity	In the face of Giddianhi's threat, Lachoneus gathered all of the Nephites into one physical location. Mormon compares this to the hostility the three transfigured Nephites experienced, and the result of their preaching, which was the conversion of people unto the Lord and "one church". While we might want to gather to the same physical location due to the wickedness of the world, Mormon's emphasis is that what is most important is the spiritual gathering to one church. Whatever threat we face, there is safety and protection within the Lord's church.
E	4:30-33	27:5-9	this people shall call upon the name of God/ call upon the Father in my name and church will be blessed	name of Christ	After their deliverance from the robbers, they acknowledged it was because they had called upon the name of God. For modern readers, Mormon expands the importance of the name of Christ by including the Savior's charge to take on His name, call the church by His name, and do everything in His name in order to gain favor with the Father.
F	5:1-3	26:19-20	all believed in the all the prophets and forsook all sins/ they had all things in common and did all things that Jesus commanded	complete unity	Note the four uses of the word, "all" in these verses of chapter 5. Mormon describes a complete spiritual unification of the Nephites and compares that to the complete spiritual and temporal unification of the people visited by Christ, who had all things in common and did all things whatsoever Christ commanded. This reference to the law of consecration is significant in foreshadowing Mormon's chiastic center point.
G	5:8	26:6	records do not contain a 100th part of what happened to the people/ records do not contain a 100th part of what Jesus taught the people	100th part	This pair is a distinct indicator of Mormon's chiastic structure. There may also be a point of emphasis to help us understand just how much Mormon could have written, or wanted to include, but just didn't have space or time.
H	5:20-25	25:5	Mormon is a pure descendant of Lehi/ Elijah will come and turn the hearts of the children to their fathers	family history and work for the dead	It is easy to sense Mormon's deep feelings and connection to his ancestors as he states his pure lineage from Lehi. His heart has been turned to his fathers and he adds the application of Malachi's prophecy to the future turning of Lehi's descendants' hearts to their fathers.
I	6:3-5	24:8-11	former robbers enter into a covenant and prosper/ those who robbed God of tithes are promised great prosperity if they repent and give tithes and offerings	robbers can repent	A pertinent message to disciples of Christ to share the gospel with everyone and welcome those who were once hostile. Similarly, an invitation to the former hostile enemies of the saints that they are welcome to repent and join the followers of Christ. This is true for any type of sinner, but Mormon specifies robbers and robbing God to highlight the chiasmus.
J	6:13-14	24:2-3	believers afflicted with persecution but remain immovable/ believers are purged by the refiner's fire	affliction and refinement	It is the refiner's fire that makes silver pure and valuable, and it is affliction that can make saints immovable. Without resistance it is impossible to tell if one is actually immovable.
K	6:23	23:11	righteous men who testified boldly of Christ's resurrection were murdered by secret combinations/ Jesus commanded them to record that righteous saints rose from the dead and ministered unto many	rise up and defend Jesus with your life and He will raise you up to eternal life	Would those who were murdered for testifying of the resurrection 4 years prior not have been among these resurrected saints? Mormon highlights the Redeemer's universal gift of resurrection as if to remind us not to take for granted the magnitude of that promised blessing, or the importance of sharing that news no matter the cost.
L	6:29	22:15-17	corrupt judges combined and covenanted to destroy the righteous/ they shall gather against thee... but fall for thy sake. The Lord destroys. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper	Conspiring corruption against the Lord's people	Being destroyed is mentioned in both pairs. Evil people will covenant and combine to destroy, but the Lord will destroy those that combine and covenant against his people.
M	7:2	21:28	all people are divided against one another/ the Lord will gather His people	division vs gathering	This pair and the next two highlight the latter-day gathering.
N	7:5-6	21:24-25	division came because they yielded to the power of Satan/ power from heaven will help gather	division vs gathering	The government was destroyed and people split into tribes because of the iniquity that resulted from yielding themselves to the power of Satan. In the latter-days, power from heaven will come down as the Father gathers his scattered people into the New Jerusalem. Both elements have references to government. The Nephite/Lamanite government was destroyed, whereas a government will be Christ's for the New Jerusalem ("I will also be in their midst").
O	7:12	21:22	wicked leader named Jacob attempts to settle land north and build a kingdom/ The Lord will gather a remnant of Jacob, establish His Church and give them land of inheritance	gathering and building	Another clear indication of Mormon's intentional chiastic structure in the mention of three elements as well as a solid example of his use of opposites in a single pair: Two different Jacobs with opposing motives, land for personal gain contrasted with a land of inheritance from the Lord, and two different building projects- one for the purpose of building one's personal kingdom, the other for establishing the Lord's church.
P	8:5-9:12	21:14-21	Jesus destroyed the wicked cities/ Jesus quotes Isaiah's foretelling of great destruction of the wicked	destruction (justice)	Mormon details the destruction of many cities and then includes Christ's own words where the Savior lists 15 cities He destroyed and tells the survivors why they were destroyed. Mormon's second chiastic element in this pair includes Isaiah's warnings of cities being cut off and destroyed, but Mormon directs those words to modern day Gentiles.
Q	9:16-17	20:23-26	law of Moses, scriptures are fulfilled in Christ/ I am who Moses & prophets were testifying of	prophecies, law, and covenants	This pair contains multiple connections. The first element includes fulfillment of scripture, and the law of Moses, and that believers become the sons of God. The second element links Moses, children of prophets and expounds 'sons of God' into becoming 'children of the covenant.
R	9:18	19:25	I am the light of the world/ Jesus' countenance did shine on them	light	Jesus exclaimed "I am the light of the world" to a group of survivors that were sitting in physical darkness. Mormon pairs this with these same people later experiencing the literal light beaming from Christ's countenance and gives the modern reader space to imagine a future day when they will experience the same.
S	9:20	19:13-14	come to Jesus and he'll baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire/ after they were baptized they were filled with the Holy Ghost and encircled by fire	Holy Ghost and fire (ordinances)	To a people sitting in such thick darkness, where no fire could be kindled, and to have witnessed destruction by fire, now to hear the Lord promise of being baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire must have made an impression. The second element of this chiasmus is when this occurs a short time later at the baptism of the 12 disciples when the multitude witnesses fire coming to encircle the 12 disciples.
T	10:6	18:32	Christ gathers those who repent with a full purpose of heart/ do not cast the sinner out as they may repent and come to Christ with a full purpose of heart	full purpose of heart	The first element is an invitation to all to repent with a full purpose of heart. In the second element Mormon includes that same language but the invitation is for modern saints to avoid casting out or forgetting those who have left the church. Rather continue to minister to them because, "ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart..."
U	11:11	18:24	I am the light of the world/ Hold up your light for the world, I am the light you should hold up	light	A powerful pair and strong indicator of the chiastic structure and recommended action for modern readers. It is not just that Jesus is the Light, Mormon urges us to hold up His light.
V	11:14-15	18:7	Christ showed and allowed them to touch his wounded body/ eat in remembrance of my body	remember Christ's bodily sacrifice (ordinances)	It is not just that Jesus offered His body, we are to meet, eat and remember His sacrifice. (This powerful pair causes modern readers to imagine experiencing the feeling of Christ's glorified, wounded body like the people in chapter 11, and then to imagine remembering that experience while partaking of the bread probably only days after Christ ended His visit. It is as if Mormon is suggesting this thought process for latter-day saints participating in the weekly ordinance.)
W	11:21	18:5	I give unto you power that ye shall baptize/ there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread	Christ's power (ordinances)	While emphasizing authority, Mormon shows the connection between baptism and the renewal of that covenant with the sacrament.
X	11:38	17:21	become as a little child/ Jesus blessed the little children one by one	become	The first element is the Lord's charge to become as a little child and in the second element we gain additional insight into the blessings of becoming as a little child.
Y	12:13	16:15	you must be the salt of the earth, but salt without savor will be trodden under the foot of men/ the Gentiles must repent or they will be as salt that has lost its savor and trodden under the foot of the House of Israel	salt (influence)	Salt with no savor being trodden under foot is an important message for the few saints living among so many of the world. These elements are also a strong match to show Mormon's chiasmus continues. It is not just a reminder of becoming the salt of the earth, but attention is given to the responsibility covenant people have to add savor to the world or be trodden under foot.
Z	12:46	15:5	those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled/ the law in me is fulfilled	law	This pair is straight forward, but could be expanded to add in more verses to include the doctrine of covenants, obedience, perfection through Christ and eternal life. Chapter 12:28 is the Savior's invitation to be perfect as He is, and chapter 15:7-9 includes the future covenants to be fulfilled and the promise of eternal life.
aa	13:5-13	14:7-11	Christ taught how to pray/ Christ taught why to pray	prayer	The first element includes instructions on how to pray with sample language and the second element reminds us we are praying to our Father who cares for and wants to bless us.
bb	13:22-23	14:3-5	if thine eye be evil.../ first cast the beam out of thine own eye	worldview, attitude, pride	Again, Mormon gives modern readers instruction about our attitude, or having light in our eyes, but also warns us to beware of judging others' attitudes before correcting our own.
cc	13:25-31	13:34	take no thought for your life/ take no thought for the morrow	mind, thoughts, thinking	Mormon's initial element is given to the Savior's 12 ordained disciples as a framework for their future ministry. It is worth noting here that 13:25 in the original Book of Mormon manuscript of 1830, is the beginning of a new chapter (6). The second element of this chiasmus is a summary statement: "Take therefore, no thought for the morrow."
dd	13:32	13:33	Ye have need of all these things/ All these things will be added unto you	Your needs	Mormon knew from the Lord of our present day struggles with highly competitive, high-priced, high-pressured, highly scrutinized, and highly scheduled lives. This simple promise is so pertinent. The Lord knows we need to pay the bills and work hard to survive, He will bless and prosper His people.
ee	13:33		Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness	Seek God's kingdom first	In our day with such a strong emphasis on building up ourselves, homes, portfolios, companies, organizations, or social influence, Mormon's central emphasis is the Lord's invitation to build God's kingdom first.