Zeezrom's Pain - Emphasized

1. Form Analyzed

I decided to look at the language used throughout my assigned section. More specifically, I was looking at the effective description of situations throughout the section.

2. Passage Analyzed

I chose to analyze Alma 15:3. “And Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceeding sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat.”

4. Breakdown

There are six instances in this verse when descriptive words are paired with information about the situation that is being set up.

5. Interpretation

The descriptive words used throughout the section emphasize the situation that Zeezrom is in. It emphasizes to the reader the pain that he is going through for the sins he committed. It isn’t just stated that Zeezrom had become sore, he had “become exceeding sore.” He didn’t just sin, he had a “great sin” along with “many other sins.” The severity of what he has done and the pain he is now feeling is accentuated through the addition of these words.

6. Connections/Questions

Does this pattern of description in order to emphasize the depth of grief in situations continue in others’ sections? Does this pattern of description get used to accentuate the positive situations and blessings in others' sections?