Wordplay

"The Book of Mormon contains several quotations from the Hebrew Bible that have been juxtaposed on the basis of shared words or phrases, this for the purpose of interpreting the cited scriptural passages in light of one another. This exegetical technique — one that Jesus himself used — came to be known in later rabbinic times as Gezera Shawa (“equal statute”). In several additional instances, the use of Gezera Shawa converges with onomastic wordplay. Nephi uses a Gezera Shawa involving Isaiah 11:11 and Isaiah 29:14 twice on the basis of the yāsap verb forms yôsîp/yôsīp (2 Nephi 25:17 and quoting the Lord in 2 Nephi 29:1) to create a stunning wordplay on the name “Joseph.” In another instance, King Benjamin uses Gezera Shawa involving Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14, and Deuteronomy 14:1 (1–2) on the basis of the Hebrew noun bēn (“son”; plural bānîm, bānôt, “sons” and “daughters”) on which to build a rhetorical wordplay on his own name. This second wordplay, which further alludes to Psalm 110:1 on account of the noun yāmin (“right hand”), was ready-made for his temple audience who, on the occasion of Mosiah’s coronation, were receiving their own “endowment” to become “sons” and “daughters” at God’s “right hand.” The use of Gezera Shawawas often christological — e.g., Jacob’s Gezera Shawa on (“stone”) in Jacob 4:15–17 and Alma’s Gezera Shawa on Zenos’s and Zenock’s phrase “because of thy Son” in Alma 33:11–16 (see Alma 33:4 17). Taken together, these examples suggest that we should pay more attention to scripture’s use of scripture and, in particular, the use of this exegetical practice. In doing so, we will better discern the messages intended by ancient prophets whose words the Book of Mormon preserves."

Matthew L. Bowen

This wordplay can be used in our personal scripture study.  Let's try it.  

I experimented with phrases from two recent conference talks, Elder Gong 2016 and Elder Holland 2017. 

"He embraces us still by carrying the marks of his pure love...these nail-scarred hands, extending, holding on to us and encouraging us;"

Prophetic Power Of "Likening"

Nephi wrote, “I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23).

In the Book of Mormon, here Nephi places forth to "liken all scriptures unto us" and if we do "profit and learning" is acquired.  This scripture "likening" can be personal as well as interpersonal- a collective interpretation to a broader meaning and teaching purpose.  Nephi used this pattern (likening) in the use of the writings of Isaiah. He uses it to prophetically describe the restoration to come forth from the writings of Isaiah.

This use can be highlighted just recently in a talk by Henry B. Eyring, he said,
"We are all gatherers. This is the work of our generation, what the Apostle Paul called “the dispensation of the fulness of times,” when he said God would “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10). This is made possible through the atoning work of God’s Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, our family members, “who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:13–14).
April General Conference 2017

He uses the writings of Paul for us to view the prophecy and fulfillment of family history work.  He concludes:

"You have felt this, as I have, when you have experienced an increase of love as you looked at the picture of an ancestor. You have felt it in the temple when the name on a card seemed like more than a name, and you couldn’t help but sense that this person was aware of you and felt your love."
Henry B. Eyring, April- General Conference 2017