Recurrence in Book of Mormon Narratives
Repetition appears purposefully within Book of Mormon narratives as a principle of reinforcement and confirmation. It seems that every important action, event, or character is repeated in the Book of Mormon. These repetitions emphasize the law of witnesses at work within the book (e.g., "in the...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Foundation
1994
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In: |
Journal of Book of Mormon studies
Year: 1994, Volume: 3, Issue: 1, Pages: 39-52 |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | Repetition appears purposefully within Book of Mormon narratives as a principle of reinforcement and confirmation. It seems that every important action, event, or character is repeated in the Book of Mormon. These repetitions emphasize the law of witnesses at work within the book (e.g., "in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established"; Ether 5:4). Further, they underscore the relevance of one character or action to people living in a different time, and they link narratives together with what Robert Alter calls "type-scenes." Analyzed in detail as particularly striking are three-fold repetitions in Nephi's task to retrieve the brass plates and repetition of the word power in the missionary endeavor of the sons of Mosiah. Larger repeated narratives treat escape and travel to a promised land; repentance; and the nature, rise, and effect of secret combinations. |
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ISSN: | 2168-3158 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of Book of Mormon studies
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