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Full-Text Articles in Religious Education
The B. H. Roberts Story
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The Lord obviously did not intend the Book of Mormon to be an open-and-shut case intellectually, either pro or con. No miracle and no matter of faith is.
Benjamin's Speech As An Early Jewish Festival
Benjamin's Speech As An Early Jewish Festival
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Twelve researchers have collaborated over the past year to examine King Benjamin's Speech in light of Jewish festivals. Their results are now available in a lengthy report, compiled by John W. Welch.
Gadianton Robbers As Guerrilla Warriors
Gadianton Robbers As Guerrilla Warriors
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Guerrilla warfare has become depressingly familiar to us from places like China, Nicaragua, Angola, Cuba, Korea, the Spanish Sahara, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. Although guerrilla tactics have received much attention and achieved notable success in the so-called "Cold War," they are not really new. On the contrary, they can be identified in ancient times-and the Book of Mormon provides a particularly clear example of them.
Chiasmus In Mesoamerican Texts
Chiasmus In Mesoamerican Texts
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The growing literature on chiasmus generally deals with its use in the Near East and Mediterranean areas. Some Book of Mormon students have wondered if the same form might appear in the New World, but until now the labor required to even begin answering that question had not been done.
Parallelism In The Book Of Mormon
Parallelism In The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Parallelism is a fundamental feature of biblical Hebrew composition, appearing In many different varieties and contexts. Don Parry has recently completed an Impressive research effort, identifying and classifying many poetic parallel passages in the Book of Mormon.
Chiasmus In Alma 36
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
One of the best examples of an extended chiasmus is in Alma 36. In the Working Paper, "Chiasmus in Alma 36," John W. Welch displays the text of this intricate chapter, along with structural analyses by Angela Crowell, Lowell Tensmeyer, and others. Criteria are applied, concluding that this text is a masterful implementation of the chiastic form.
All Chiasms Are Not Created Equal
All Chiasms Are Not Created Equal
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
When is a chiasm a chiasm? In recent years, many scholars have been alert to the possibility of chiasmus in the scriptures. Some of the proposed structures are clear and convincing. Others are dubious and contrived.
Symposium On Warfare Announced
Symposium On Warfare Announced
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
On Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, F.A.R.M.S. will sponsor a symposium at Brigham Young University on Warfare in the Book of Mormon. The symposium will include papers on fortifications in Mesoamerica, holy war in the Ancient Near East and in the Book of Mormon, the laws of warfare in the Book of Mormon, the Gadianton Robbers as a subversive countercultural movement, war oaths in the Book of Mormon, and Nephite military caste and tribal affiliation. Participants in the symposium will include Phillip Flammer, William Hamblin, Matthew Hilton , Daniel C. Peterson, Stephen D. Ricks, John Sorenson, Terrence Szink …
New Review Of Book Of Mormon Books Launched
New Review Of Book Of Mormon Books Launched
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
F.A.R.M.S. has inaugurated a new journal, the Annual Review of Book of Mormon Books. This journal, edited by Daniel C. Peterson of the Arabic faculty at Brigham Young University, will review and discuss recent literature dealing with the Book of Mormon. It will appear once each year. Many of these reviews will be article-length review essays and will deal in depth with the issues raised in the books under discussion. Others will be shorter, providing a sense of the contents of the volumes and a brief response of the reviewer to the book. Each review should, however, be useful …
Study Of Hebrew Poetry Expands
Study Of Hebrew Poetry Expands
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Angela Crowell has published a multifaceted study of Hebrew poetry in the Book of Mormon, now available as reprint CRW-86. It originally appeared in the Zarahemla Record. This article gives scores of examples illustrating dozens of stylistic patterns and devices known to Bible scholars and also occurring in the Book of Mormon. This contribution not only deepens our reading and appreciation of the scripture, it also demonstrates the frequent subtlety and great complexity of the record.
Wordprint Analysis In The Book Of Mormon
Wordprint Analysis In The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
"Since the advent of modern programmable high speed computers, a new science of computer assisted literary 'stylometry' or 'wordprinting' has been developing. By statistically analyzing the small non-contextual word patterns of a disputed document, it is now possible to test which suspected authors did not write a given work," reports John L. HIiton.
Who Wrote The Title Page?
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Daniel Ludlow has taken a careful look at the title page of the Book of Mormon in his Paper ''The Title Page." Examining title pages in all major editions of the Book of Mormon, he compares printing history, wording, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. He also has studied how the original paragraphing and punctuation were added by a typesetter.
Since Cumorah
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
"Since its first printing in 1967, Since Cumorah has been a classic in Book of Mormon scholarship, and its significance has not decreased with the years," says John W. Welch. "We are pleased to offer this expanded volume to a new generation of Book of Mormon students. This long popular book examines the Book of Mormon in light of the discoveries at Qumran, Nag-Hammadi, and throughout the ancient world. It's Nibley at his best, challenging many traditional scholarly assumptions and opening avenues of inquiry regarding the Book of Mormon and its present-day implications."
1947 Sperry Reprint Offered
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Early in his career, Dr. Sidney B. Sperry published a book which offers many fine insights into certain literary aspects of the Book of Mormon, but which has been out of print for several decades. Selected chapters from this book, now available as a reprint (SP-OUR), give "considerable attention to the analysis of the Book of Mormon as a whole and to its constituent records," and makes pioneering efforts to study " the literary forms in this scripture."
Hugh Nibley Collected Works
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In 1988, the Book of Mormon will be the study course for the L.D.S. adult Sunday School. F.A.R.M.S. feels that it is important that the Hugh Nibley Book of Mormon volumes, several of which are now out of print, should be available as teaching and study helps. Not only do they represent some of the finest work in detailing how the Book of Mormon reflects the culture and customs of the ancient Near East, but also they are written so non-scholars can understand and appreciate the wealth of these details.
Book Of Mormon Symposia Expand
Book Of Mormon Symposia Expand
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A greater number of conferences and symposia than ever before have concentrated our attention this summer and fall on the Book of Mormon. Here is a brief description of several of these programs, making particular note of instances where F.A.R.M.S. directors or advisors are involved. In many cases, copies of the papers presented at these symposia can be obtained by writing to the organizers or to the participants.
Review Of Books On The Book Of Mormon
Review Of Books On The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Since publication of the last Newsletter, the first issue of the F.A.R.M.S. Review of Books on the Book of Mormon has been printed. It contains seventeen reviews of fourteen different books, most of which appeared during the years 1987-88. Some of the reviews are actually "review essays," since they represent important contributions to Book of Mormon studies in their own right.
What Was A "Mosia"?
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In 1965, John Sawyer published an article entitled ''What Was a Mosia?" in Vetus Testamentum 15 (1965):475-86, available on the attached order form. He argues that the term mosia was an ancient Hebrew term that originally had meaning in Hebrew culture but came to be used among their titles for God. Sawyer's analysis may shed light on the name Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.
An Oath Of Allegiance In The Book Of Mormon
An Oath Of Allegiance In The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
According to Terrence L. Szink, "an important element in any military endeavor is the loyalty of the soldiers. Obviously, even the most brilliant military tactics will fail if the troops are unfaithful in fulfilling their duty." As a result, loyalty oaths were often administered among soldiers in the ancient Near East. These oaths often included "simile oaths," where some object is likened to the persons making the oath. Thus, in the Hittite loyalty oath, the person administering the oath said, after placing wax and mutton fat in the hands of each of those taking the oath, "just as th is …
The Prophetic Book Of Mormon, Volume 8 In The Nibley Collected Works, Is Now Available
The Prophetic Book Of Mormon, Volume 8 In The Nibley Collected Works, Is Now Available
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
For Hugh Nibley, the Book of Mormon is prophetic in every sense of the word. It was written by prophets and about prophets. It was foreseen by prophets and foresees our day. It is a book brought forth by prophetic gifts for prophetic purposes. It speaks in a clarion voice with words of counsel to those who would survive the last days.
Book Of Mormon Critical Text
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Critical texts of the Bible have been available for many years, showing variant readings from early Greek or Hebrew manuscripts accompanying the familiar phrasing of the standard Bible. Heavily footnoted, these volumes show how words and structures of the text have appeared in different editions over time and in different languages. They have become an essential tool for scholarly research on the scripture. They also aid serious readers by clarifying how the text may be interpreted.
President's Message, John W. Welch
President's Message, John W. Welch
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In 1832, Section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. In this great section, the Lord explained one of the reasons why the people of the Church languished in spiritual darkness: "And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received..." Members of the Church were told that they would remain under condemnation until "they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments" which had been given to them (D&C 84:53, 57).
Metonymy In The Book Of Mormon
Metonymy In The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A suggestion by Gordon Thomasson led to a May 3 seminar where 11 F.A.R.M.S. collaborators examined another subtle stylistic feature in the Book of Mormon. Metonymy is the practice of giving a person or place a name whose meaning reflects an event or trait associated with that person or place. A closely related practice sees a person's name become symbolic of some phenomenon. An example of metonymy is in I Sam. 25 where a man is said to have been named Nabal, "fool," because he refused to aid David and his supporters. The second pattern is shown in the statement …
Is Mulek Mentioned In The Bible?
Is Mulek Mentioned In The Bible?
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Helaman 6:10 records that Zedekiah, King of Judah in Lehi's day, had a son named Mulek who escaped execution by the Babylonians, despite the statement in 2 Kings 25:4-7 that the king's sons were slain. While the name Mulek is not mentioned directly in the Bible, scholars have recently drawn some interesting conclusions about a person named Malchiah, mentioned in Jer. 38:6. Could he have been Mulek?
Old World Covenant Patterns In King Benjamin's Speech
Old World Covenant Patterns In King Benjamin's Speech
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
"That the covenant ceremonies in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mosiah reflect an ancient Near Eastern pattern prescribed for such occasions may provide another control for establishing the genuineness of the Book of Mormon," says Stephen Ricks, in his recent paper entitled "The Treaty/Covenant Pattern in King Benjamin's Address."
New Book Out
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A convenient and commendable collection of articles about Book of Mormon people is now off the press. It Begins with a Family, published in January by Deseret Book, reprints twenty-three articles that appeared in the Ensign from 1976 to 1978. The articles, by prominent authors and scholars, discuss the lives and characters of Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Benjamin, Alma, Ammon, Korihor, Moroni, and other significant Book of Mormon figures.
New Book Of Mormon Geography Map Available
New Book Of Mormon Geography Map Available
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A handsome new wall map suitable for classroom use has been developed by Dr. Michael Preece, a Salt Lake physician and student of the Book of Mormon. It follows the model of geography in John Sorenson's An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon. Dr. Sorenson assisted in the project.
Mormon's Agenda
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Again and again Mormon reminds us that he is drastically selecting and condensing as he constructs the Book of Mormon. We can learn much about the man by examining his choices of what to include and what to leave out.
Colophons In The Book Of Mormon
Colophons In The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
At the start of 1 Nephi a heading, not marked with verse numbers, begins, "An account of Lehi and his wife Sariah, and his four sons" and ends, "I, Nephi, wrote this record." Dozens of these editorial entries or colophons (a form well known in nonscriptural documents from antiquity, as Nibley pointed out years ago) are found in the Book of Mormon. Together they instruct us about how the volume as we have it was assembled. The fact that these colophons have been handled differently in modem translations and printings obscures their nature.
An Lds Interpretation Of Jesus' Most Masterful Sermon
An Lds Interpretation Of Jesus' Most Masterful Sermon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The heart of the Book of Mormon is the Sermon of the resurrected Christ to the Nephites who had assembled at their temple in Bountiful (3Nephi 11- 18). The heart of that Sermon is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Palestine (Matthew 5-7), adapted to the Nephite setting.