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When Are Chiasms Admissible As Evidence?, Boyd F. Edwards, W. F. Edwards
When Are Chiasms Admissible As Evidence?, Boyd F. Edwards, W. F. Edwards
All Physics Faculty Publications
Since John Welch’s discovery of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon in 1967, many critics have attempted to show how chiasmus appears in just about every type of literature, from Dr. Seuss to Strangite scripture. This article discusses the authors’ statistical admissibility tests to verify whether a chiasmus in a work shows strong evidence of intentionality by the original author. Their results indicate that certain passages in the Old Testament and in the Book of Mormon show deliberate chiasmus, while Strangite scripture, the Doctrine and Covenants, nursery rhymes, Dr. Seuss, and other works are not intentionally chiastic.
Does Chiasmus Appear In The Book Of Mormon By Chance?, Boyd F. Edwards, W. F. Edwards
Does Chiasmus Appear In The Book Of Mormon By Chance?, Boyd F. Edwards, W. F. Edwards
All Physics Faculty Publications
Chiasmus is an inverted-parallel literary form that was employed by ancient Hebrew biblical writers, among others. An instance of this form, called a “chiasm,” presents two or more literary elements, and then restates them in reverse order. Short chiasms are not uncommon in literature. In some cases, the authors undoubtedly intended to use that form for literary effect (that is, by design); in other cases, the elements fell into that form without author intent (that is, by chance). In 1969, John W. Welch reported his discovery of many-element chiasms in the Book of Mormon,1 which Joseph Smith testified to …