“The Power of Godliness”
- CFMCorner
- Jul 28
- 12 min read
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D&C 84
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Section 84 is one of my favorite sections in all of Scripture, and there is so much in these verses. There is no way I can possibly do them justice. We could spend months on this section alone, and barely scratch the surface. So I am going to focus my thoughts on just one concept for this week, one of my personal favorite gems. But, keep in mind, there are many more waiting to be discovered, and I encourage my readers to really dive into the Section summary for this week. There is so much to learn; it is truly a treasure hunt with huge payoffs!
My advice, follow the words. Dive into the concordance links and look for connections. There are literally thousands of them. I have provided quite a few leads for you to follow on your adventure, but your best tutor is always the Spirit. Diligently follow the promptings that speak to your heart, the things that are specifically relevant to your needs and circumstances, and you will find pearls of great wisdom in this section.
The New Song and the Star in the Scripture: A Chiasmic Witness of Zion
I. Introduction: A Song from Heaven and Earth
In the final verses of Doctrine and Covenants 84, the Lord introduces a new song—a sacred anthem sung by the redeemed of Zion at the end of days:
98. Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying:
99. The Lord hath brought again Zion;
The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,
According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the faith
And covenant of their fathers.
100. The Lord hath redeemed his people;
And Satan is bound and time is no longer.
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
101. The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;
And truth is established in her bowels;
And the heavens have smiled upon her;
And she is clothed with the glory of her God;
For he stands in the midst of his people.
102. Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
Forever and ever, Amen.
But this is more than a poetic conclusion. It serves a significant purpose.
In scripture, songs often do more than express praise—they mark turning points in history, seal covenants, and testify of deliverance. The “new song” in D&C 84 is no exception. It echoes the Song of Moses sung as Israel entered the promised land (Deuteronomy 31–32), and the Song of the Lamb heard in the heavens by John the Revelator (Revelation 15:3). Here in modern revelation, these two ancient songs merge—sung by a people preparing to meet the Lord as heaven and earth reunite in Zion.
And hidden in the structure of this passage is a pattern as old as scripture itself: a type of symbolic chiasm.
Ancient prophets, such as Isaiah, Nephi, and even Moses, often employed this mirrored poetic form to convey sacred truths. Chiasm uses repetition and inversion to form a symmetrical pattern that draws attention to the center—the heart of the message.
In the “new song,” this pattern forms not just a poetic shape—but a symbolic Star of David, representing the union of heaven and earth, law and grace, past and future, and the divine harmony that Zion embodies.
This article explores the structure and spirit of this new song—how it is not only written to be sung, but to be lived. In its symmetry, we discover a covenant. In its music, a message. And in its center, a witness of the Redeemer and the gathering of His people.
II. What Is Chiasm (and Why It Matters)?
At first glance, ancient scripture can feel unfamiliar—layers of poetic turns, unfamiliar customs, and archaic imagery. But within these ancient texts lies a hidden structure that is both elegant and intentional: chiasm.
What Is a Chiasm?
A chiasm (from the Greek letter chi, Χ) is a literary device where ideas are presented and then repeated in reverse order, creating a mirror-like pattern. It's like walking into a room with mirrors on either side—what you see forward is reflected back in reverse. In simple terms, the structure looks like this:
A
B
C
B’
A’
Rather than moving in a straight line, chiasm draws our attention to the center, making the middle the focal point. That central verse or idea often holds the deepest insight—the turning point, the covenant, or the revelation God most wants His people to understand.
Why Did Ancient Writers Use It?
Chiasm served many purposes in the ancient world:
Memory aid: In a culture of oral tradition, mirrored patterns helped listeners remember long texts.
Thematic emphasis: The structure visually and verbally highlights key ideas.
Spiritual symmetry: Chiasm reflects divine balance—justice and mercy, heaven and earth, alpha and omega.
Where Does Chiasm Show Up in Scripture?
Chiasm isn’t just a quirky trick—it’s woven throughout the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants. A few examples:
Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.”
Mosiah 5:10–12: King Benjamin uses a beautifully layered chiasm to explain the importance of taking Christ’s name.
10. And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.
11. And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts.
12. I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
Matthew 23:12: “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Each example mirrors truth, highlighting reversal and restoration.
But sometimes, these mirrored ideas do more than teach—they sing. And that’s what makes the “new song” in D&C 84 so significant. It's not just poetic—it’s structured to echo heaven. In that echo lies Zion’s identity—and its preparation for the Lord’s return.
III. Chiasm in the “New Song” (D&C 84:98–102)
Near the conclusion of Doctrine and Covenants 84, the Lord introduces a sacred anthem—a “new song” to be sung by the redeemed at the rise of Zion:
“The Lord hath brought again Zion; the Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel, according to the election of grace…” (D&C 84:99–101)
But this is not a random poetic flourish. When viewed from a broader perspective, the passage reveals what appears to be a symbolic chiasmic structure—a literary mirror that encodes profound theological meaning.
Let’s break down the pattern:
The Chiasm Pattern in D&C 84:98–102
Literary example 99-100
A – The Lord hath brought again Zion (v. 99)
B – The Lord hath redeemed his people; According to the election of grace (v. 99)
C – Which was brought to pass by the faith
and covenant of their fathers (v. 99)
B' –The Lord hath redeemed hs people; And Satan is bound and time is no longer;
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
A' – The Lord hath brought down Zion from above. (v. 100)
And within this song we also see a broader symbolic chiasm, not obviously outlined in the literary sense but within the thematic sense, which is beautifully encapsulated in one of my favorite pieces of artwork, which I have hanging in my home. The painting is called At One Ment, painted by the talented Jennifer Pagent. This painting beautifully depicts the chiastic form that is represented in this song.
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
These mirrored lines form two intersecting movements:
Descent from Heaven: “The Lord hath brought again Zion”—Zion descending from above. This is represented in verses 99-100, which outline God's descent to mankind, even descending below all things to rescue them from the fall.
Ascent from Earth: “They are gathered together in one”—Zion rising from below. We see this represented in verses 101-102, where we see Zion as the bride of Israel, ascending the mountain of the Lord. This encapsulates the purpose of D&C 84, preparing the people to build a temple, to become priests and priestesses unto the Most High, united with and bound to God through sacred covenant.
This poetic symmetry mirrors the Star of David (✡), an ancient symbol made of two overlapping triangles. In this context, it represents the covenantal intersection of heaven and earth, justice and mercy, past and future, God and His people.
Just as the Urim and Thummim reflect divine knowledge through light and truth, so this “new song” reflects divine harmony through language and structure. It is Zion’s echo of God’s voice—a sacred refrain testifying that God’s covenant people are listening and being made ready, sanctified, and gathered.
🎵 What Makes the Song “New”?
The “new song” isn’t new in content—it’s renewed in context.
It recalls the Song of Moses from Deuteronomy 32, a covenantal witness sung before Israel entered the promised land.
It parallels the Song of the Lamb in Revelation 15, sung by those redeemed through the Atonement.
It echoes Joseph Smith’s vision of a future Zion where all is gathered, sanctified, and one.
In combining these ancient patterns into a modern anthem, the Lord signals that something new, renewed, has begun: Zion is being born again, both from above and beneath. The restoration of Temple ordinances and God’s priesthood plays a significant role in that renewal. The importance of this cannot be overstated.
The Echo and the Mirror
This song is a response—a reverberation.
God speaks, and Zion echoes. Heaven gives, and earth reflects. The covenant is not just kept; it is sung back.
And just as all creation sings in the Psalms, this “new song” becomes a signal: Zion is listening and tuning in.
IV. Why This Matters: Echo, Law, and Covenant
The structure of the “new song” in D&C 84 isn’t just poetic—it’s prophetic. It isn’t merely a mirror—it’s a covenantal call and response, linking the redeemed of the latter days with the faithful of every dispensation.
Echo Theology: What God Sends Out, Zion Returns
The Lord’s voice is described throughout scripture as an echoing sound—whether heard on Mount Sinai, at the waters of baptism, or in the still, small whisper to Elijah. In D&C 84, Zion becomes not only the recipient of divine speech, but its reflection:
“The Lord hath brought again Zion…” “They are gathered together in one…”
The new song echoes what God has declared from the beginning. His covenant, His election, His grace—it all comes full circle. Zion didn't originate the song. She learns from it; she emulates it, and she harmonizes with it.
Law as a Mirror: From Torah to Zion
In ancient Israel, Moses taught the people that obedience to the law was their covenantal echo—their way of singing back to God. “The song of the heart is a prayer unto me.” In the Old Testament, the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32) was composed as a witness to this covenant:
“This song shall testify against them…” (See Deuteronomy 31:19–21)
In like manner, the “new song” becomes Zion’s testimony and witness. It fulfills the Torah’s purpose: to create and unite a holy people who reflect God’s nature and countenance.
The Star Pattern and the Covenant of Gathering
The chiastic Star of David’s shape in the structure of the new song symbolizes the convergence of:
Law and Grace
Heaven and Earth
Past and Future
Moses and Messiah
And, as we have discussed in previous lessons, the Atonement itself.
This is no coincidence. It is a fulfillment of prophecy:
“The Lord shall bring again Zion.” “The Lord hath gathered all things in one.”
In Jewish tradition, the six-pointed star represents God’s rule in all directions—north, south, east, west, above, and below. It is the geometric emblem of divine order, and life itself. It oulines his sacred compass and purpose. And here, it becomes the poetic witness of God’s people united, gathered, and prepared to receive Him.
V. Reflection & Application: Singing the Song of Redeeming Love
In Alma’s day, he posed a haunting question:
“Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?... Can ye feel so now?” (See Alma 5:14–26)
He then asked:
“Have ye spiritually sung the song of redeeming love?”
The “new song” in Doctrine and Covenants 84 isn’t just a future prophecy—it’s a present invitation. It asks us whether we are in harmony with God’s covenant. Whether we have become one—echad/ united—with His purposes. Whether our lives reflect His light, His law, and His love.
🎶 So how do we sing this song today?
We remember the covenants made by our ancestors and renewed in our own ordinances.
We reflect divine order in our relationships, in our homes, and in our worship.
We participate in the gathering—through missionary work, temple work, scripture study, and becoming “pure in heart.”
We prepare Zion not only as a place, but as a people.
When the Song Echoes in Us
The new song is sung by a people who have been redeemed, sanctified, and gathered—by a people who “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God” (see D&C 84:44). It is sung by those who have turned their hearts to their fathers, who have received both the New Covenant and the Old. By those who have been freed from the condemnation described in verses 54-57, who are not waiting for Zion, but are actively striving to build it.
In the end, Zion does not perform the song.
Zion is the song.
And when that happens—when God’s people mirror and reflect His majesty—the heavens and earth sing together.
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