Raymond Treat reports that much linguistic evidence has come to light since 1830 supporting the Book of Mormon as an authentic document. One of the more recent such discoveries (Welch 1969) is the recognition that some writers in the Book of Mormon used an ancient literary form known as chiasmus or a chiasm.
A Chiasm is a statement containing two or more parts followed by a restatement in reverse order (ABC C'B'A'). The word chiasm is derived from the Greek letter chi (X) and the Greek word chiazeim (to mark with an x) because a two part chiastic statement may be diagrammed in the form of an X.
Dr. Noel Freedman, Ph.D., Director of Program on Studies in Religion, University of Michigan and General Editor of the Anchor Bible and Biblical Archaeologist discusses two kinds of chiasms in his preface to Chiasmus in Antiquity. One kind deals with words and the other with ideas. . . . The type of chiasm dealing with ideas is more difficult to identify because there may be disagreement over which ideas form the foundation of the chiastic structure. The author of this type of chiasm may use it to focus the attention of the reader (or hearer) on the central idea or turning point. A good example of this from the Book of Mormon is found in the First Book of Nephi:
A. Introduction
B. Repentance
C. God reigns
D. Lehi comes to know Christ
E. Testimony of Christ
F. God protects the chosen
G. A part of the House of Israel is being scattered
H. Obtaining the Plates of Brass
I. Keeping records
J. A narrative about the family of Ishmael, a journey, and rebellion against Nephi
K. Nephi exhorts his brothers and they turn to the Lord
L. The Tree of Life
M. Two sets of records
N. Prophecy of coming of Christ and other events
O. ". . . [Lehi] spake by the power of the Holy Ghost . . ."
P. Nephi desires righteousness "I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see,
and hear, and know of these things . . ."
Q. (a) ". . . the power of the Holy Ghost . . . is the gift of God unto all those
who diligently seek him . . ."
(b) ". . . in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself . . ."
(c) "For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."
R. "And the way is prepared from the foundation of the world,
if it so be that they repent and come unto him;"
Q' (a) "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God
shall be unfolded unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost"
(b) "as well in this time as in times of old; and as well in times of old as in
times to come;"
(c) "Wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."
P' Those who desire wickedness" . . if ye have sought to do wickedly in the
days of your probation,"
O' "And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I [Nephi] should speak these things
and deny them not."
N' Prophecy of coming of Christ and other events
M' Two sets of records
L' The Tree of Life
K' Nephi exhorts his brothers, they humble themselves before the Lord
J' A narrative about the family of Ishmael, a journey, and rebellion against Nephi
I' Keeping records
H' Information from the Plates of Brass
G' The House of Israel is to be scattered
F' God protects the righteous
E' Testimony of Christ
D' All the righteous will know Christ
C' The Holy One of Israel reigneth
B' Repentance
A' Conclusion
[Raymond C. Treat, "Chiasms in the Book of Mormon," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol. 1, pp. 64, 66]
1 Nephi 10:18 The way is prepared from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him (Chiasm) [[Illustration]]: Chiasm of First Nephi [Raymond C. Treat, "Chiasms in the Book of Mormon," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol. 1, pp. 64-66]
Through the Wilderness to the Promised Land
(1 Nephi )