I decided to look at language, specifically the repetition and imagery Jacob uses to make his words more vivid in the sermon
2. Passage Analyzed
Within my section (2 Nephi 9-18), I focused on the words of Jacob, spoken to the people of Nephi, found in verses 39-45 in chapter 9
3. Annotated Text
4. Breakdown
Jacob repeats "Remember" five times, uses the word truth three times in verse 40 alone, and repeats imagery related to shaking four times in the passage
5. Interpretation:
Jacob is determined to make his people understand the seriousness of eternal judgement. His use of strong exhortations and vivid imagery of shaking off guilt and the chains of the adversary urge the listener to deeply consider their own salvation.
6. Connections / Questions:
I would be interested to compare these exhortations with the repeated invitations Nephi extended to his brothers to chose the right. It seems to me that Jacob is both more direct and outwardly focused on the sins of his audience in his oratory whereas Nephi at least appears to put more emphasis on his own example and positive actions to more indirectly encourage his brothers ("I will go and do", "If the Lord commanded all things I could do them"). Certainly he doesn't depict the final judgement and the "binding chains" of the adversary in such a colorful way. Perhaps Jacob's more direct approach in this vivid call to repentance was brought on by the falling away of Laman and Lemuel and the separation that had taken place only a few chapters before. It could be he feared the same fate for the people as a whole at this time.
Interestingly enough, Nephi does come close in some ways to this style of expression in 2 Nephi 4. As Eliza noted in her post, Nephi also heavily relies on repetition and even uses self-applied imagery of groaning, weeping, and drooping in relation to sin- quite similar in ways to Jacob's imagery of "shaking."
Repetition is a huge literary tool used throughout all of scripture. If something is repeated, it has got to be important. Especially it's done in such close proximity it can bring out specific themes, as opposed to an important them, such as the coming of Christ that is mention throughout. Moroni repeated over and over that he was the last of the Nephites emphasizing what a disaster it was. Words usage is powerful.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how careful prophets are to make themselves clear when addressing the topic of repentance or impending destruction. We read elsewhere in the scriptures about how those who preach the gospel are responsible for those who they've preached to, so it's hard to imagine these prophets taking such opportunities lightly.
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