“There Can Be Nothing So Exquisite and Sweet as Was My Joy”

Alan C. Miner

According to an article by Donald Parry, the writers of ancient scripture often contrasted one idea in one line or stanza with an opposite or anti-thetical idea in a parallel line or stanza. Alma 36:21 illustrates this principle, where Alma speaks to his son Helaman:

Yea, I say unto you, my son, that

there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains.

Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand,

there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet, as was my joy.

[Donald W. Parry, "Antithetical Parallelism in the Book of Mormon," in Reexploring the Book of Mormon, F.A.R.M.S., p. 168]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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