Earl M. Wunderli

Wunderli argues that the proposed extended chiasm in Alma 36 depends on selecting repeated words, assigning flexible labels, omitting material, and pairing unequal sections. He concludes that the pattern reflects the analyst’s choices rather than a deliberately constructed ancient literary form, and questions statistical arguments built on those choices.

• Earl M. Wunderli, “Critique of Alma 36 as an Extended Chiasm,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 38, no. 4 (2005): 97–112.

My argument is that he has imposed chiasmus on the Book of Mormon where none was intended.

Wunderli argues that the Book of Mormon’s language and internal patterns point to one modern author, Joseph Smith, rather than separate ancient writers. He also contends that a limited Mesoamerican setting does not adequately account for the book’s geographical descriptions.

• Earl M. Wunderli, An Imperfect Book: What the Book of Mormon Tells Us about Itself (Signature Books, 2013).
• Earl M. Wunderli, “Critique of a Limited Geography for Book of Mormon Events,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 35, no. 3 (2002): 161–197.