Professional Fund-Raiser Joins Farms,
2023
Brigham Young University
Professional Fund-Raiser Joins Farms
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
F.A.R.M.S. is pleased to welcome aboard Ken Porter. With over sixteen years of fund-raising experience, including head of Church Educational Development, Porter is well qualified to assist in the building of F.A.R.M.S.
Nephi's Arrows Create Solid Bulls-Eye,
2023
Brigham Young University
Nephi's Arrows Create Solid Bulls-Eye, Joseph Fielding Smith
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Three times in 1 Nephi 16 we are told that Nephi broke his steel bow. Never does it say that he broke any arrows. Yet when Nephi makes a new wooden bow, the text also says that he made "out of a straight stick, an arrow." (1 Ne. 16:23). Why would he need to make new arrows when he apparently still had a quiver full of old ones?
President's Message,
2023
Brigham Young University
President's Message, John W. Welch
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
We have been thrilled to hear from so many of you recently. Please feel free to drop us a note. If anything is unclear or unsatisfactory, be sure to let us know. Your ideas on how we can be of better service to you are very important to us! Keep them coming!
Jewish Festivals In Zarahemla,
2023
Brigham Young University
Jewish Festivals In Zarahemla
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The recent discovery of evidence in the Book of Alma of an observance of a Feast of Passover is likely to be remembered as one of the most significant finds of the year. On August 15, a good sized group met at a special F.A.R.M.S. research meeting. The discussion was led by Gordon Thomasson. The purpose was to rethink many Book of Mormon passages in light of ancient Israelite festivals, and some very striking results emerged.
An Ancient American Setting For The Book Of Mormon,
2023
Brigham Young University
An Ancient American Setting For The Book Of Mormon
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
As this newsletter goes to press, John Sorenson 's book, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon is in publication at Deseret Book Company. This landmark volume should be out the beginning of next year. This book has been long-awaited; it sets a new benchmark for Book of Mormon studies. Dr. Sorenson, Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Brigham Young University, has been working on these materials for thirty-five years. He has developed much of this research in connection with several innovative classes he has been teaching at BYU.
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Additional Study Aids,
2023
Brigham Young University
Additional Study Aids
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
F.A.R.M.S. has frequently been asked to recommend books that people might read to learn more about the world of Lehi, the ancient source of much of the Book of Mormon. Beside the classic works by Hugh Nibley, Lehi in the Desert, An Approach to the Book of Mormon, and Since Cumorah, a very valuable book is by Father Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel, in two volumes (McGraw Hill). Although slightly dated, the book remains extremely insightful, generally readable and reliable, and conveniently available in paperback.
Farms Monthly Updates,
2023
Brigham Young University
Farms Monthly Updates
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Some Newsletter readers may be unaware that since December, 1983, monthly one-page information memos have been produced by the Foundation and distributed to Cornerstone Club contributors. These releases are short, specific reports on late-breaking news about pertinent discoveries or research findings. Some of this information later appears in abbreviated form in the Newsletter or other public sources, but those contributors who read the Monthly Update receive the news first from this unique information service.
Reprints And Preliminary Reports,
2023
Brigham Young University
Reprints And Preliminary Reports
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Certain well known patterns of human behavior are accurately depicted in the Book of Mormon. For example, Hugh Nibley has explored the pattern of the flight of the righteous into the wilderness. A striking new study now describes another pattern for our consideration.
Book Of Mormon Critical Text,
2023
Brigham Young University
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.
Farms News,
2023
Brigham Young University
Farms News
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
FARMS moved this spring up from our basement quarters into three rooms on the third floor of Amanda Knight Hall, at the corner of 800 North and University Avenue in Provo, Room 315 serves as the main office; another room is a distribution center and the third houses our archive and research library. The gable-roofed architecture of the building preserves a distinctive atmosphere of quiet age.
President's Message,
2023
Brigham Young University
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,
2023
Brigham Young University
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?,
2023
Brigham Young University
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?
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Videos Become Available,
2023
Brigham Young University
Videos Become Available
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The transfer of our slide presentation, "Lands of the Book of Mormon," to video is now completed. In addition, the video features an introductory panel discussion by John Sorenson, Truman Madsen, and Stephen Ricks. Videos are available in either VHS or Beta format. Please specify which format and speed you want when ordering.
Meet Our Executive Secretary,
2023
Brigham Young University
Meet Our Executive Secretary
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Every dynamic organization needs a top-notch secretary to keep the people and the projects all pulling together in the same direction. FARMS is fortunate to have Darlene Clarke on board to manage the minutes and agendas of our monthly research and business meetings.
Announcing The Cornerstone Club,
2023
Brigham Young University
Announcing The Cornerstone Club
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The Cornerstone Club is our way of saying "Thank you" to those who are providing generous financial support to FARMS. Many of the exciting new projects you are reading about would never happen without people who care enough about scriptural studies to provide the necessary funds.
Sunday School Sets Moving Fast,
2023
Brigham Young University
Sunday School Sets Moving Fast
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The Book of Mormon Study Catalog of articles complementing the 1984 Gospel Doctrine lessons has been a stunning success. The catalog was announced in the January 1 issue of the Church News and response has been overwhelming. The catalog is available from the Foundation free of charge if you send a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Old World Covenant Patterns In King Benjamin's Speech,
2023
Brigham Young University
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."
