Literary analysis: Verses 5 and 6 are puzzling from a narrative standpoint, and they are essentially repetitious, without necessarily falling into a pattern that would allow the structure of poetry to explain the repetition. It is tempting to use the chiastic model as explanation, as Bountiful begins verse 5 and ends verse 6. However, the elements of the phrases the two Bountiful phrases are parallel, and not inverted. In both cases we have the presentation of the name of Bountiful, with the reason for the name, both in the same parallel format. Additionally, the interior elements do not create structured contrasts.
In this case, we just might have a case of Nephi being human and repeating himself, rather than being formal or poetic.
Narrative analysis: Nephi begins verse 5 with an interesting statement that Bountiful had been prepared of the Lord "that we might not perish." This purpose in Bountiful is interesting because it follows so closely on the heels of Nephi's declaration that although they suffered hardships in the wilderness, they were strong and healthy. It appears, then that the threat of perishing would be in the past - a challenge already conquered prior to entering the land of Bountiful.
The "that we might not perish" is not a statement that looks back to the struggles in the wilderness, but forward to the journey across the ocean. It was for this coming journey that Bountiful was prepared of the Lord - a place of sufficient richness that stores could be gathered that would last them family on the voyage to the New World.
Historical analysis: The location of Bountiful has been the source of speculation and research. The first identification of a modern location which might have the qualifications for Bountiful was Salalah (identification by the Hiltons, see Hilton, Lynn M. and Hope Hilton. In Search of Lehi's Trail. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976).
The Aston's present several candidates for Bountiful (including Salalah) and suggest that the best location for Bountiful would be the modern Wadi Sayq in modern Oman. They suggest that it best meets the criteria described by Nephi, as it is the only candidate with sufficient natural fertility, fresh water, proximity to accessible timber trees, high cliffs, and ore (Aston and Aston, pp. 54-55).