“Do Love Money”

Alan C. Miner

According to Donald Parry, parallelism is universally recognized as the characteristic feature of biblical Hebrew poetry. (p. i) Apparently, the prophets and writers of the scriptures employed the repetition of alternating parallel lines for the purpose of reinforcing their teachings and doctrines. (p. x)

Antimetabole (Greek, "to throw against in a reverse way") is a poetic style which throws or compares one subject or idea against another, for the purpose of creating a contrast between the two ideas. (p. xxxii) A good example of Antimetabole is found in Mormon 8:37:

And your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

1. For behold, ye do love

2. money,

and your substance,

and your fine apparel,

and the adornment of your churches,

1. more than ye love

2. the poor

and the needy,

the sick

and the afflicted

[Donald W. Parry, The Book of Mormon Text Reformatted according to Parallelistic Patterns, p. 448]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

References