According to Donald Parry, ancient scriptures contain a number of revelatory speech forms or formulaic expressions which are unique to the prophetic writings. That is to say, the prophetic speech forms are present in sections of scripture where God reveals his word directly to the prophets (i.e., Isaiah, Amos, Nephi, Joseph Smith). As might be expected, the same prophetic forms are also present in the Book of Mormon, for it too, consists of prophetic writings. In the writings of Samuel the Lamanite (Helaman 13-15), six speech forms can be identified:
1. Messenger Formulas -- "Thus saith the Lord" (Helaman 13:8)
2. Proclamation Formula -- "Listen to the words of Christ" (Helaman 13:21)
3. Oath Formula -- "As the Lord liveth" (Helaman 15:17)
4. Woe Oracle -- The characteristic woe oracle consists of the accusation, the addressee, the
intent of the accusation, and the promise of judgment. (Helaman 13:11-12, 14-17, 24; 15:2-3)
Helaman 13:16-17, for example, contains the following elements:
a. Accusation: Yea and Wo
b. Addressee: Be unto all the cities which are in the land round about
c. Intent: Because of wickedness and abominations which are in them
d. Promise of Judgment: And behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of
Hosts.
5. Announcement Formula -- "I say unto you" (Helaman 15:6, 12, 14)
6. Revelation Formula -- "The word of the Lord came to me, saying" (Helaman 13:3)
These speech forms and others dealing with the commission and divine workings of a prophet are indicative of the prophetic authority and prerogative contained within the verses of the Book of Mormon. [Donald W. Parry, "Thus Saith the Lord": Prophetic Language in Samuel's Speech," in Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Fall 1992, pp. 181-183]