Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 1:1-11
1 Nephi is the first book in the Book of Mormon. Written by Nephi, it tells of his family’s departure from Jerusalem around 600 BC, their travels through the wilderness and upon the seas, and their arrival in the promised land.
1 Nephi 1 is written as a series of chiasms and parallelisms. This post will present diagrams and analysis of the first half of the chapter. The next post will present the second half of the chapter.
The header at the beginning of 1 Nephi 1 provides a summary of the entire book of 1 Nephi. This summary is a chiasm that: explains dual authorship (Lehi and Nephi), contrasts Jerusalem with the promised land, shows how Lehi and Nephi have their lives threatened by the wicked, describes their journey, highlights the two times Nephi and his brothers return to Jerusalem (first, to get the brass plates; second, to get wives), and centers on “their sufferings” or the hardships they face on their journey.
Nephi’s parents are “goodly,” a high compliment that corresponds to providing him with an education.1 His father, Lehi, is his mentor.
Nephi’s days are the best of times and the worst of times. While he experiences “many afflictions,” he is also “highly favored of the Lord,” meaning he has “a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God.” Nephi places highest value on knowledge via personal revelation (in contrast, as we shall see, to his older brothers who value material wealth and comfort).
Nephi emphasizes five characteristics of his record: (1) it’s a first person account of his own experiences (2) it’s written in the language of his father — Egyptian characters in a Jewish style (3) it’s true (4) it’s written by himself — he employs no scribes or ghost writers (5) it’s a reflection of his own knowledge and testimony.
1 Nephi begins in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah.2 Lehi is one of “many prophets” who call the people of Jerusalem to repentance, in an effort to prevent its destruction.
Before Lehi goes forth to call the people of Jerusalem to repentance, he prays “with all his heart in behalf of his people.” Lehi is motivated by love for his fellow man.
Nephi uses a chiasm to introduce imagery into his record. After Lehi sees a vision, he quakes and trembles like a flickering fire.
Nephi compares Lehi’s house in Jerusalem to God’s throne in the heavens. Interestingly, Jeremiah, a contemporary of Lehi’s, calls Jerusalem “the throne of the LORD.”3 Lehi’s entire purpose is to preserve Jerusalem as an oracle, or a place where heaven meets earth.
Lehi’s vision includes seeing the Lord followed by his twelve apostles. The Lord is as bright as the sun, and the apostles are as bright as the stars.
After the Lord and his apostles go forth upon the “face” of the earth, the Lord stands before Lehi’s face.
The Lord gives Lehi a book and invites him to read.
“Goodly” can also be translated as “beautiful.” Nephi highly regards both his parents. https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/goodly