Lessons for Our Day From the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Twenty

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder - Alma 36

First and foremost, the ongoing Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the marvelous work and a wonder in its fullness – Isaiah prophesied of a “marvelous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14) seven centuries before the birth of Christ. When Jesus appeared to the Nephites He confirmed Isaiah’s prophesy about the great and marvelous work in the latter days: “For my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work” (3 Nephi 21:9). Nephi wrote about the latter-day restoration saying, “the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men” (2 Nephi 25:17).

“We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830 is Christ’s New Testament Church restored” (Restoration Proclamation) – Daniel prophesied of a small stone cut out of a mountain without mortal hands would become a great mountain that will fill the whole earth. I testify that the destiny, the growth, the strength, and the independence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is the greatest marvelous work and a wonder.

The Book of Mormon is of itself a marvelous work and a wonder – 2 Nephi 27 gives great clarity to Isaiah 29 regarding the Book of Mormon, itself, being a marvelous work and a wonder as an essential part of the ongoing Restoration of the latter days. Much of 2 Nephi 27 is about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. After the learned professors in the latter days reject the Book of Mormon, the Lord twice reminds us that, “I am able to do mine own work” (2 Nephi 27:20, 21). “Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid” (2 Nephi 27:26). The Book of Mormon and the way the Lord brought it forth is a marvelous work and a wonder. For a wonderful testimony of this see Elder Neal A. Maxwell, By the Gift and Power of God, Ensign, January 1997, 36-41.

Alma 36, using chiasmus, is a remarkable testimony of Jesus Christ, and it is one of the many reasons The Book of Mormon is marvelous work and a wonder – “Chiasmus is a style of writing known in antiquity and mused by many ancient and some modern writers. It consists of arranging a series of words or ideas in one order, and then repeating it in reverse order. In the hands of a skillful writer, this literary form can serve several purposes. The repeating of key words in the two halves underlines the importance of the concepts they present. Furthermore, the main idea of the passage is placed at the turning point where the second half begins, which emphasizes it” (John W. Welch, A Masterpiece: Alma 36, BYU Scholars Archive).

“This text ranks as one of the best uses of chiasmus one can imagine. It merits high acclaim and recognition. Despite its complexity, the meaning of the chapter is both simple and profound. Alma’s words are both inspired and inspiring, religious and literary, historical and timeless, clear yet complex—a text that deserves to be pondered for years to come” (Ibid).

“In his blessing to his son Helaman, Alma uses chiasmus in recounting his conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This chart illustrates the deep structure of Alma 36. Jesus Christ is the crux of the chiasm, just as he is the center of the gospel and the only means whereby salvation can be attained. The turning point in Alma's conversion was not the appearance of the angel or the fear of eternal banishment, but calling on the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Fittingly, Alma makes this spiritual turning point the literary focal point of this entire chapter, one of the finest examples of chiastic composition anywhere in world literature” (John W. Welch, Chiasmus in Alma 36, Book of Mormon Central).

Testimony – The turning point of the chiasmus in Alma 36 and of Alma’s life is “Jesus Christ, Son of God” (Alma 36:17-18). I strive every day to make Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the turning point and focus of my life.

Released on August 4th. 2024