Book of Mormon Poet
Poetry in the BoM

Chiasmus · Alma 36

Alma’s Conversion

John W. Welch, 1967

The finest extended chiasm in the book. Alma tells Helaman the story of his own conversion, and the chapter finds its center point with him: Jesus Christ, Son of God, sits at the exact center.

  1. A

    My son, give ear to my words.36:1

  2. B

    Keep the commandments of God, and ye shall prosper in the land.36:1

  3. C

    Do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers.36:2

  4. D

    For they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except the God of Abraham.36:2

  5. E

    He surely did deliver them in their afflictions.36:2

  6. F

    Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, troubles, and afflictions.36:3

  7. G

    I know these things not of myself, but of God.36:4

  8. H

    I have been born of God.36:5

  9. I

    I went about seeking to destroy the church of God.36:6

  10. J

    I fell to the earth, and my limbs were paralyzed.36:10

  11. K

    The very thought of coming into the presence of God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.36:14

  12. L

    I was racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.36:16

  13. M

    I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins.36:17

  14. N

    I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.36:17

  15. N′

    I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.36:18

  16. M′

    I could remember my pains no more; I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.36:19

  17. L′

    What joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain.36:20

  18. K′

    I longed to be there with God, that my soul might rest.36:22

  19. J′

    I stood upon my feet, and did receive my strength.36:23

  20. I′

    I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance.36:24

  21. H′

    Many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted.36:26

  22. G′

    The knowledge which I have is of God.36:26

  23. F′

    I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions.36:27

  24. E′

    He will still deliver me.36:27

  25. D′

    He has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time.36:29

  26. C′

    I have always retained in remembrance their captivity.36:29

  27. B′

    Inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.36:30

  28. A′

    This is according to his word.36:30

Why the form matters

Welch later called it a masterpiece of composition, as good as any chiasmus in world literature. Seventeen paired elements reverse around the cry for Christ. Pain is answered by joy of the same measure. The limbs that failed, stand. The man who sought to destroy the church labors to bring souls to repentance. Form and conversion are the same motion.