Source:Rediscovering the Book of Mormon:Ch:10:7:Poetry:Moroni on the Jaredites

Poetry in the Book of Mormon text: Moroni on the Jaredites

Poetry in the Book of Mormon text: Moroni on the Jaredites

notice the poetic repetitions in Moroni's account of the song of the Jaredites and then in his narrative "hymn" describing their preservation. (Italics here emphasize repetitions, synonyms, and opposites.)

They did sing praises unto the Lord;
yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord,
and he did thank and praise the Lord
all the day long;
and when the night came,
they did not cease to praise the Lord.
And thus they were driven forth;
and no monster of the sea could break them,
neither whale that could mar them;
and they did have light continually,
whether it was above the water or under the water.
And thus they were driven forth,
three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.
And they did land upon the shore of the promised land.
And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land
they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land,
and did humble themselves before the Lord,
and did shed tears of joy before the Lord,
because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.
(Ether 6:9-12)[1]

Notes

  1. Richard Dilworth Rust, "Poetry in the Book of Mormon," in Rediscovering the Book of Mormon, edited by John L. Sorenson and Melvin J. Thorne (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co.; Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1991), Chapter 10.