Rhetoric: Jacob artfully creates a set of symbolic reversals on his themes. He has spoken to the pure in heart, and now addresses those who are not pure in heart. This direct opposition is followed by other oppositional sets.
He first contrasts the cleanliness of the pure in heart to the filthiness of those who are not pure. This contrast is implicit rather than explicit. He next contrasts Lamanites and Nephites. Jacob clearly understands the categorical use of “Lamanite” as opposite of “Nephite,” with the social value that Nephite = good and Lamanite = bad. Jacob turns this cultural definition upside down, and declares that, in this aspect, the Lamanites are superior to the Nephites. Because the Nephites are filthy, he implies cleanliness for the Lamanites, a complete reversal of standard expectations.
His final comparison is not a reversal but a parallel. He pairs the Nephites’ future “destruction” and the “destruction” of the pure in heart. Just as these pure women will be destroyed by an outside force unless they are steadfast in their faith, so will these Nephite men be destroyed by the outside Lamanites unless they repent. Jacob declares that their own actions will turn on them, and they will reap destruction when they sow destruction.