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The Chiastic Structure of Christ's Prophecy in 3 Nephi 20–23
A complete analysis of the chiastic structure of Christ's last-days prophecy to the Nephites, revealing what the divine architecture identifies as the central element of God's covenant plan.
The chiastic structure in 3 Nephi 20–23 was first identified by Victor Ludlow in his landmark work Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, Poet (Deseret Book, 1982). Avraham Gileadi has also published helpful analysis of these chapters. This appendix builds on their foundational work with additional observations about the center point and its implications for last-days prophecy.
Appendix B: Understanding Chiasmus: The Language of God
Chiasmus is an ancient literary structure where ideas are presented in one order and then repeated in reverse order, creating a mirror effect with a central focal point. The pattern looks like this:
A → B → C → D → CENTER → D' → C' → B' → A'
This is not merely a clever writing technique. Throughout scripture, chiastic structure appears repeatedly in the most sacred texts, marking them as divinely inspired. The ancient Hebrews recognized chiasm as the signature of prophetic authorship.
Chiasmus has become a well-known term among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanks in large part to the work of John Welch, who first identified chiasmus in the Book of Mormon and documented it extensively. His discovery transformed how Latter-day Saint scholars read the scriptures.
I believe chiasmus represents the language of God. Only God could know the future and the past at once. When something is arranged so precisely and revealed in such a manner, it serves as a testament of divine authorship. No human author produces this by accident.
Appendix B: The Prophecy Given by Jesus Christ to the Nephites
The prophecy given by Jesus Christ after His resurrection to the Nephites is one of the most remarkable prophecies in scripture. He discusses at length the words of Isaiah, along with Micah and others, applying them to the last days. The discourse in 3 Nephi 20–23 covers events from the gathering of Israel through the establishment of the New Jerusalem and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.
Because it is structured chiastically, one can identify various center points of different chiasms within it. The larger structure reveals what God considers the most important element of this entire prophecy. Finding the center answers the question: what is this entire discourse really about?
Read the following structure carefully, and consider annotating it in your scriptures with the letter designations of each element. Beginning with A for the first element and proceeding to N for the center, then returning through N' back to A', the structure unfolds the complete prophetic vision.
Appendix B: The Complete Chiastic Structure
A (3 Nephi 20:10) "Behold now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people, who are a remnant of the House of Israel."
B (3 Nephi 20:11) "Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them."
C (3 Nephi 20:12) "And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O House of Israel."
D (3 Nephi 20:13) The scattered remnants gathered from east and west, north and south, brought into the land the Lord their God hath given them.
E (3 Nephi 20:14) "And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance."
F (3 Nephi 20:15–20) Warning to the Gentiles: If they do not repent, the remnant of Jacob will be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest. The sword of God's justice is threatened.
G (3 Nephi 20:21–29) Christ establishes His people in the New Jerusalem. "I am he of whom Moses spake." The Father's covenant with Abraham fulfilled. The Gentiles blessed when they join.
H (3 Nephi 20:30–45) The fulness of the gospel preached. Jerusalem redeemed. Zion puts on her beautiful garments. "My servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high."
I (3 Nephi 20:46) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, all these things shall surely come, even as the Father hath commanded me. Then shall this covenant which the Father hath covenanted with his people be fulfilled."
J (3 Nephi 21:1) "And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel."
K (3 Nephi 21:2) "And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—"
L (3 Nephi 21:2) The Book of Mormon coming forth to the Gentiles so they may know concerning the remnant of the house of Israel.
M (3 Nephi 21:3) These things made known to them of the Father, coming forth from the Father through them.
N (3 Nephi 21:4) "For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a FREE PEOPLE by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed."
— THE CENTER: America established as a free nation so the covenant may be fulfilled —
M' (3 Nephi 21:5) These works coming forth from the Gentiles unto the seed dwindling in unbelief because of iniquity.
L' (3 Nephi 21:6) "For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles... that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name."
K' (3 Nephi 21:7) "And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them."
J' (3 Nephi 21:7) "That they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the House of Israel."
I' (3 Nephi 21:8) "When that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."
H' (3 Nephi 21:9–11) The Father works a great and marvelous work. "The life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him."
G' (3 Nephi 21:12–21) The remnant of Jacob among the Gentiles as a lion. Horses, chariots, cities, strongholds, witchcrafts, soothsayers, graven images cut off. Vengeance upon the unrepentant.
F' (3 Nephi 21:22–23) "But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant... And they shall assist my people that they may be gathered."
E' (3 Nephi 21:24–29) "And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in... in unto the New Jerusalem." The work of the Father commences among the scattered tribes.
D' (3 Nephi 22:1–17) Isaiah 54 quoted in full. "Sing, O barren." Enlarge the place of thy tent. Fear not. No weapon formed against thee shall prosper. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.
C' (3 Nephi 23:1–3) "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."
B' (3 Nephi 23:4) "For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles."
A' (3 Nephi 23:5) "And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake."
Appendix B: The Critical Parallel: 3 Nephi 20:23 and 3 Nephi 21:11
Within this larger chiastic structure, two passages form a critical parallel that illuminates the dual application of the Moses prophecy. In the descending half, Christ declares:
"Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people." (3 Nephi 20:23)
In the corresponding ascending half, Christ applies the same Moses prophecy to His servant:
"Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant." (3 Nephi 21:11)
Notice the critical phrase in the second passage: "it shall be done even as Moses said." This directly references the same Moses prophecy quoted in 3 Nephi 20:23. But here, Christ speaks of His servant bringing His words to the Gentiles. The Moses prophecy applies both to Christ and to His latter-day servant.
This chiastic structure reveals a profound truth: Jesus Christ is applying the Moses prophecy both to Himself and to His servant. Both fulfill this ancient prophecy, but in different capacities and for different dispensations. The parallel structure of the chiasm makes this dual application unmistakably intentional.
Appendix B: The Center Point: America as a Free Nation
The center of this chiasm (element N) reveals what God considers the most important element of this entire prophecy: the establishment of America as a free nation so that the covenant may be fulfilled.
Without America established as a free nation, the Book of Mormon could not have come forth. Without religious liberty, the gospel could not have been restored. Without constitutional protections, the gathering of Israel could not proceed. America's freedom is not incidental to God's plan. It is central to it.
When we understand that this verse is the center, we understand why America's founding was providential, why the Constitution is inspired, and why the preservation of liberty is essential to God's purposes in the last days. The chiasm places it at the center not by accident but by design.
Appendix B: Conclusion
The chiastic structure of Christ's prophecy in 3 Nephi 20–23 is a testament to divine authorship. No human author could create such intricate structure by accident. The layers of meaning, the perfect parallels, the dual application of the Moses prophecy, and the revelation of America's central role in God's plan all emerge from the structure itself.
As you study these chapters, look for the patterns. Find the parallels. Let the structure guide your understanding. When parallel passages illuminate each other, truths emerge that would otherwise remain hidden.
The chiasm reveals that Christ's servant in the last days fulfills a Moses-like role, bringing forth Christ's words to the Gentiles with divine power. It reveals that America's freedom is central to God's covenant purposes. It reveals that the servant will be marred but healed, tested but protected, rejected but ultimately vindicated.
These are marvelous verses indeed. May we search them diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah, and great are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who quoted them to the Nephites and preserved them for our day.
The Full Prophetic Picture
The chiastic structure of 3 Nephi 20–23 is one of several interpretive keys examined in The First Horseman, Donald Trump and Biblical Prophecy. The book walks through the complete prophetic vision Christ gave the Nephites and identifies how its center points to events unfolding in our own day.
Companion Appendices
Appendix A: The Chiastic Structure of Revelation
▸ Appendix B: The Chiastic Structure of Christ's Prophecy in 3 Nephi 20–23 (current)
Appendix C: Avraham Gileadi's Davidic Servant Framework
Appendix D: The Antichrist in Scripture
Appendix E: Resources for Further Study
Kelly Smith is the author of The First Horseman, Donald Trump and Biblical Prophecy. He is a lifelong student of biblical prophecy and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.