Book of Mormon Poet
Poetry in the BoM

Chiasmus · 2 Nephi 25:24–27

We Talk of Christ

Nephi’s messianic hymn. The law of Moses is kept, fulfilled, given, and at last done away — and at the still center, four verbs of devotion: we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.

  1. A

    Notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses.25:24

  2. B

    And look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.25:24

  3. C

    For, for this end was the law given.25:25

  4. D

    The law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith.25:25

  5. E

    We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.25:26

  6. D′

    We speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law, and look forward unto that life which is in Christ.25:27

  7. C′

    And know for what end the law was given.25:27

  8. B′

    And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him.25:27

  9. A′

    When the law ought to be done away.25:27

Why the form matters

Five layers deep, almost no stray repetition. Statistical work has put the chance of accident at roughly one in five thousand. The deadness of the law and the life which is in Christ occupy the same chiastic seat, so the argument is not against the law but through it.