Brigham Young University
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Vol. 2 Now Available,
2023
Brigham Young University
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Vol. 2 Now Available
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Charlesworth's second and final volume of The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha has just been released by Doubleday. This long-awaited collection of important early Christian and Jewish writings is the result of more than a decade of work by dozens of scholars, including F.A.R.M.S. correspondent Stephen E. Robinson. Each volume is 1000 pages long, and volume 2 contains a valuable index for both volumes. Act now if you want these books--a price increase has already been announced by Doubleday, effective January 1, 1986.
More About Mulek,
2023
Brigham Young University
More About Mulek
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Another possible clue of the existence and escape of Mulek (see Insights, March 1984, and Update, February 1984), son of Zedekiah, has been noticed by Benjamin Urrutia. 2 Kings 25:1-10 reports that Nebuchadnezzar and "all his host" scattered "all the men" and "all [the king's] army" and burnt "all the houses of Jerusalem" and with "all the army" destroyed the walls. Ben points out that in the midst of all this, 25:7 omits the word "all" when it reports that "sons" of Zedekiah were killed, refuting, perhaps, the idea that all …
Stephen Ricks, Les Campbell, Teri Bergstrom Take New Positions; John Sorenson Recovering,
2023
Brigham Young University
Stephen Ricks, Les Campbell, Teri Bergstrom Take New Positions; John Sorenson Recovering
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
This month, Stephen D. Ricks joined John W. Welch and John L. Sorenson as members of the FARMS Board of Directors. Stephen has been an active, contributing FARMS researcher for several years. His dissertation, "A Lexicon of Inscriptional Qatabanian" (an ancient South Arabian dialect), earned him his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982. At Brigham Young University, he teaches Hebrew, Aramaic, Near Eastern mythologies, and a class on texts and temples. He brings great enthusiasm, dedication, and scholarship to this position with FARMS, and is greatly appreciated.
Handheld Weapons In The Book Of Mormon,
2023
Brigham Young University
Handheld Weapons In The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The first in a substantial series of studies on warfare in the Book of Mormon has been completed this month. This new Preliminary Report by Arabist William Hamblin, Ph.D. (Michigan), focuses on handheld weapons in the Book of Mormon, in pretechnical military practices of the Near East, and in Mesoamerican archaeology. Dr. Hamblin's work on this subject was funded by a research grant from F.A.R.M.S. He is currently working for the United States Department of Defense.
The B. H. Roberts Story,
2023
Brigham Young University
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,
2023
Brigham Young University
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.
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Special Thanks To Kirk Magleby And Ken Porter,
2023
Brigham Young University
Special Thanks To Kirk Magleby And Ken Porter
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Two hard-working FARMS officers have stepped down this month. Ken Porter, our Vice President in charge of Development, has recently accepted a mission call to serve with his wife, Ann, in England. Ann has also been working for FARMS as a secretary. We wish them great success!
Open Houses In Provo,
2023
Brigham Young University
Open Houses In Provo
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Guests in Provo for CES meetings and Education Week are invited to open houses at the FARMS office in Provo on August 15 and 22 (both Thursdays) between 7 and 10 p.m. You will be able to see screenings of the three FARMS videos, visit with authors, peruse our stock of nearly 300 publications, and find out how the Foundation operates. The office is located upstairs in Amanda Knight Hall, on the corner of 800 North and University Avenue. Call us at (801) 378-3295 if you have any questions.
Thieves And Robbers,
2023
Brigham Young University
Thieves And Robbers
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Although there isn't much difference between a thief and a robber in most minds, there was a considerable difference between the two under ancient Near Eastern law. A thief (ganab) was usually a local person who stole from his neighbor. He was dealt with judicially. He was tried and punished civilly, most often by a court composed of his fellow townspeople. A robber, on the other hand, was an outsider, a brigand or highwayman. He was dealt with militarily. These outlaws could be executed summarily.
How Was The Book Of Mormon Used By The Early Saints?,
2023
Brigham Young University
How Was The Book Of Mormon Used By The Early Saints?
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
When the Book of Mormon was first translated and published, it was brand new to the entire world. Its doctrines, messages, personalities, and details were all in need of rediscovery. Even the Prophet Joseph Smith, the instrument through which God transmitted this record, does not appear to have fully assimilated all its complexities and nuances, for he rarely quoted from the Book of Mormon (as one might expect had he written the book).
Joseph Smith And The Book Of Mormon,
2023
Brigham Young University
Joseph Smith And The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Increasingly, questions are being asked about how the Book of Mormon came to be. Few of these questions are new, for each generation must confront the challenging presence of the Book of Mormon for itself, the same as have the generations before us. In this light, it may be of interest for us to reread the five-part series from the 1959 Improvement Era written by Hugh Nibley, entitled "Mixed Voices." For the first time, these five articles are now available as a set.
"Salamanders" And "Short-Hand Egyptian",
2023
Brigham Young University
"Salamanders" And "Short-Hand Egyptian"
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The 1830 letter of Martin Harris to W. W. Phelps, published in the Church News in April, has already attracted national attention. In this letter, Harris describes an early spiritual appearance to Joseph Smith, stating that "the spirit transfigured himself from a white salamander in the bottom of the hole."
Farms Finishes Three Major Projects In June,
2023
Brigham Young University
Farms Finishes Three Major Projects In June
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
June has been a productive month. Thanks to hundreds of volunteer hours, three significant projects have recently been completed. We think you will be interested in each of them.
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Donors,
2023
Brigham Young University
Donors
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In our fiscal year just ended, F.A.R.M.S. received voluntary donations from 1330 individuals. A special thanks goes to the following who gave between $500 and $5,000 this year. Your support makes the work of the Foundation possible!
Office Staff News,
2023
Brigham Young University
Office Staff News
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In July, Janet Twigg moved to Ohio. We will miss her loyal and valuable service as our Office Manager.
Gadianton Robbers As Guerrilla Warriors,
2023
Brigham Young University
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.
Temple Bibliography,
2023
Brigham Young University
Temple Bibliography
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Temple worship and service were common elements in ancient Near Eastern societies. Connected with the temple system were various ritual practices. Present-day scholars find fascination and mystery while studying these sanctuaries and their environs, and seem never to exhaust the possibilities in writing about new discoveries.
