“Dark and Dreary Waste”

Brant Gardner

Narrative analysis: The repetition of the dark and dreary waste may be an indication that the initial transition is Nephi's, and we are now into Lehi's rendition. There is no structural reason for the repetition of the dark and dreary waste. The first instance, therefore, would be Nephi's way of introducing the story, and this instance would be the information in the correct context and sequence. From a story standpoint, the presence of the dark and dreary waste following the appearance of the messenger makes more sense, as the messenger then ushers in the entire scene, rather than appearing only after the opening scene.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References