Latter-day Saint scholar Richard Dilworth Rust saw in these verses ancient poetry about God’s power. First, the verses detail “increasing levels of physical power (famine, to pestilence, to destruction). Then it is given spiritual significance (sealed/loosed in heaven). Destructive power builds in intensity from rending the temple, to leveling a mountain, to the climax of divine power that will smite the people. With the confidence that comes from having seen the vision of God’s power, Nephi was ready to declare the simple but meaningful message: ‘Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto destruction’” (“Poetry in the Book of Mormon,” 107).