Book of Mormon Poet
Poetry in the BoM

Chiasmus · 1 Nephi 1–22

Nephi's 1st Chiasmus (1 Nephi 1–22)

We know Nephi was a prophet, ship builder, record keeper, and king, but his work as a poet cannot be overlooked.

  1. A

    Nephi was taught by his father.1:1

  2. B

    Nephi's record is true.1:3

  3. C

    Repent, or be destroyed.1:4

  4. D

    Israel's abominations.1:13

  5. E

    The Lord's tender mercies and deliverance.1:20

  6. F

    Run to the Lord like a river to a fountain.2:9–10

  7. G

    The old plates contain the record of the forefathers.3:3

  8. H

    Nephi would be favored because he did not murmur.3:6

  9. I

    Nephi's faith that the Lord would help him accomplish the command.3:7

  10. J

    An angel told Laman and Lemuel that Nephi would be a ruler over them.3:29

  11. K

    Nephi was led by the Spirit.4:6

  12. L

    Nephi obtains Laban's sword of precious steel.4:9

  13. M

    They carried the brass plates on their journey through the wilderness.5:22

  14. N

    The Lord commands Lehi to send his sons back to obtain wives.7:1

  15. O

    Lehi ate the fruit which was desirable above all other fruit.8:12

  16. P

    Lehi sees a river of water.8:13

  17. Q

    Lehi sees the rod of iron.8:19

  18. R

    Lehi taught that the house of Israel would be scattered like broken branches of an olive tree.10:12

  19. S

    Nephi is caught away in the Spirit. The vision begins.11:1

  20. •

    The tree represents the Lamb of God, the love of God, and joy.11:20–23

  21. S′

    Nephi ends the vision of what he saw while caught away in the Spirit.14:30

  22. R′

    Nephi explains that they are one of the branches broken off and scattered.15:12

  23. Q′

    Nephi explains the rod's meaning.15:23–24

  24. P′

    Nephi explains the river's meaning.15:26–27

  25. O′

    Nephi teaches that the fruit is precious and most desirable above all other fruits.15:36

  26. N′

    Nephi and his brothers take the daughters of Ishmael to wife.16:7

  27. M′

    They carried the brass ball on their journey through the wilderness.16:10

  28. L′

    Nephi breaks his bow of fine steel.16:18

  29. K′

    Nephi was directed by the ball, the Liahona.16:30

  30. J′

    Laman and Lemuel accuse Nephi of tricking them into seeing an angel so he could become their ruler.16:38

  31. I′

    Nephi's testimony that the Lord did help him accomplish the Lord's commands.17:3

  32. H′

    Nephi did not murmur in his afflictions.18:16

  33. G′

    The new plates contain the record of Nephi's people.19:1

  34. F′

    Obey the Lord, and your peace will be as a river.20:17–18

  35. E′

    Prisoners led in mercy to exaltation.21:9–11

  36. D′

    The abominable church.22:14

  37. C′

    Repentance brings safety.22:28

  38. B′

    An invitation to consider whether this record is true.22:30

  39. A′

    Nephi taught with his father.22:31

Why the form matters

Nineteen pairs run from the opening of the small plates to the last verse of 1 Nephi, then return. The tree in Nephi's vision, the Lamb of God, is the center point.