From Cotton Mcgintey's Rain Sermon To Boy Scout Troop 167 At Agassiz Meadows, Hugh Uintas,
2022
Brigham Young University
From Cotton Mcgintey's Rain Sermon To Boy Scout Troop 167 At Agassiz Meadows, Hugh Uintas, Warren Hatch
BYU Studies
Remember how rain drummed your tent last night? And when you were outdoors, how it wrapped you up? Brightened every sniff of spruce and lightning-sparked ozone.
What Egyptian Papyri Did Joseph Smith Possess?,
2022
Brigham Young University
What Egyptian Papyri Did Joseph Smith Possess?, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
In early July 1835, Joseph Smith acquired some Egyptian papyri from which he claimed to translate the Book of Abraham. From historical evidence and the papyrus fragments that were returned to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November 1967, we can piece together a profile of what papyri the Prophet is known to have possessed.
The "Kirtland Egyptian Papers" And The Book Of Abraham,
2022
Brigham Young University
The "Kirtland Egyptian Papers" And The Book Of Abraham, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
Associated with the translation of the Book of Abraham is a collection of documents commonly known today as the “Kirtland Egyptian Papers.” This name was coined by Hugh Nibley in the early 1970s to describe a corpus of manuscripts that can be classified into, broadly, two categories: Book of Abraham manuscripts and Egyptian-language manuscripts (or manuscripts that “focus on alphabet and grammar material that the authors connected to the ancient Egyptian language”). Because some of these documents postdate the Kirtland period of Latter-day Saint history, and because the name coined by Nibley to describe this corpus is somewhat vague, the …
The Plain Of Olishem,
2022
Brigham Young University
The Plain Of Olishem, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
The opening chapter of the Book of Abraham mentions a location called “the plain of Olishem” (Abr. 1:10). It isn’t clear from the text whether the plain itself was Olishem, or whether Olishem was some city or region in the area to which the plain was adjacent, or whether the plain takes its name from a major city on the plain. In any case, this “plain of Olishem” was near Abraham’s homeland of Ur of the Chaldees, according to the text.
Abraham's Converts In Haran,
2022
Brigham Young University
Abraham's Converts In Haran, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
In the Genesis account of Abraham’s sojourning, the text indicates that at the outset of his journey the patriarch “took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came” (Gen. 12:5). This passage is paralleled in the Book of Abraham, with one small but important difference. It reads, “And I took Sarai, whom I took to wife when I was in Ur, in Chaldea, and …
The Plains Of Moreh,
2022
Brigham Young University
The Plains Of Moreh, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
The second chapter of the Book of Abraham parallels content found in Genesis 12. Both texts narrate the patriarch’s flight into Canaan and provide specific geographic details about the route he and his family took as they fled Haran (Abr. 2:14–18; Gen. 12:4–9). The Book of Abraham describes Abraham as “journey[ing] from Haran by the way of Jershon, to come to the land of Canaan” (Abr. 2:16).1 Thereafter, Abraham and his party “passed from Jershon through the land unto the place of Sechem” (Abr. 2:18).2 This Sechem, the text says, “was situated in the plains of Moreh,” which themselves were …
Did Abraham Lie About His Wife, Sarai?,
2022
Brigham Young University
Did Abraham Lie About His Wife, Sarai?, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
Before he journeyed into Egypt, Abraham was instructed by God: “Behold, Sarai [later Sarah], thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon; therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—she is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise: Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live” (Abr. 2:22–23).
Abraham The Seer,
2022
Brigham Young University
Abraham The Seer, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
A careful reading of the Book of Abraham reveals subtle literary and narrative elements in the text that might otherwise go unappreciated. For instance, a running leitmotif—a recurring theme or concept— throughout the Book of Abraham is that of Abraham as a seer, or someone who sees or otherwise has a visual interaction with divine manifestation (typically or usually aided by a divinatory device such as a seer stone). As seen in both the mention of Abraham’s possession and use of the Urim and Thummim (Abr. 3:1) as well as the repeated use of verbs such as see and show …
By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus,
2022
Brigham Young University
By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
In the current (2013) edition of the Pearl of Great Price, the Book of Abraham is prefaced with this explanatory head: “A Translation of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt. The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus.” This title is based on the March 1, 1842, printing of the Book of Abraham in the Times and Seasons, with some alteration. As first published, the statement read, “A TRANSLATION Of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands, …
About The Authors,
2022
Brigham Young University
About The Authors, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
Stephen O. Smoot is a doctoral student in Semitic and Egyptian languages and literature at the Catholic University of America. He previously earned a master’s degree from the University of Toronto in Near and Middle Eastern civilizations, with a concentration in Egyptology, and bachelor’s degrees from Brigham Young University in ancient Near Eastern studies, with a concentration in Hebrew Bible, and German studies. He is currently an adjunct instructor of religious education at Brigham Young University and a research associate with the B. H. Roberts Foundation.
Appendix,
2022
Brigham Young University
Appendix, Stephen O. Smoot, John Gee, Kerry Muhlestein, John S. Thompson
BYU Studies
The following bibliography on the Book of Abraham has been modified and expanded from that found at www.pearlofgreatprice cen tral .org. The purpose of this bibliography is to assemble a variety of works on the Book of Abraham written primarily by or for Latter-day Saints. This bibliography is not exhaustive and does not include more specialized academic literature. Instead, it has been curated with the intent of highlighting works that are more readily accessible to average Latter-day Saint readers. Most of these items can be accessed online by following the hyperlinks collected at Pearl of Great Price Central for the …
Dictionary Of Proper Names & Foreign Words In The Book Of Mormon,
2022
Brigham Young University
Dictionary Of Proper Names & Foreign Words In The Book Of Mormon, Stephen D. Ricks, Paul Y. Hoskisson, Robert F. Smith, John Gee
Interpreter Foundation Books
This Dictionary of Proper Names and Foreign Words in the Book of Mormon represents the culmination of more than a decade of study and discussion of the origins and meanings of Book of Mormon names. Those discussions took place regularly at Brigham Young University’s Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship under the leadership of Professor Paul Y. Hoskisson, director of the Laura F. Willis Center for Book of Mormon Studies. They resulted in the electronic “Book of Mormon Onomasticon.”1 All of the collaborators on this volume—John Gee, Paul Y. Hoskisson, Stephen D. Ricks, and Robert F. Smith—have been trained …
The Inspired Author’S Intent Building Our Scholarship To Learn By Study And Also By Faith,
2022
Brigham Young University
The Inspired Author’S Intent Building Our Scholarship To Learn By Study And Also By Faith, Shad Anderson
Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel
In our devotional teaching, we are fairly successful in helping students ask questions about what the scriptures they are studying mean to them. Students asking these types of questions may produce thoughtful insights. But does seeking what a scripture means to a student, devoid of a real understanding of what the ancient author originally intended, do enough to help our students truly engage with and fully access the power of the scriptures in their lives? My purpose with this paper is to make the case that it generally does not. When our students understand the scripture author’s original intent, I …
God Is Not Fragile Coping With The Intensity Of Hosea’S Imagery And Life’S Most Severe Challenges,
2022
Brigham Young University
God Is Not Fragile Coping With The Intensity Of Hosea’S Imagery And Life’S Most Severe Challenges, Seth N. Hord
Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel
The book of Hosea is not for the faint of heart. Like many of the writings of ancient Israelite prophets, it is complex and intense and deserves a focused, serious study to fully appreciate the intensity of Hosea’s message. Anything less may leave the reader somewhat confused or even scarred by what Hosea says about God. But Hosea’s message is particularly powerful in helping us deal with life’s most intense and troubling circumstances. This paper attempts to address some of the striking images of Hosea in a way that will assist religious educators with helping students navigate some of the …
Reanchoring Our Purpose To Jesus Christ,
2022
Brigham Young University
Reanchoring Our Purpose To Jesus Christ, Clark G. Gilbert, Scott C. Esplin, Jared W. Ludlow, Barbara Morgan Gardner
Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel
Esplin: Thank you for your willingness to share your thoughts and insights with us. For some who may be unaware of your background, will you introduce yourself to our readers. Gilbert: I really feel like the Lord planted experiences in my life from my very earliest years that had a purpose in Him. I would not have known the significance of many of those experiences until just in the last decade. I grew up in a home where education, and Church education in particular, were highly valued. Both my parents graduated from BYU. Both my parents have law degrees. From …
Time And Intensity Growth Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Greece,
2022
Brigham Young University
Time And Intensity Growth Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Greece, Mary Jane Woodger
Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel
In the late 1970s, missionary work was reinstated in Greece after Latter-day Saint missionaries not having been in the nation for nearly one hundred years because of political unrest. In time Greece became part of the Austria Vienna East Mission, which covered much of Eastern Europe, with Dennis B. Neuenschwander as mission president (1987–1991). In 2019, while reflecting on his service, Neuenschwander discussed an inherent relationship between intensity and time: “Some of our experiences can be very intense, focused in a relatively short period of time. However, the consequences, implications, and applicability of such powerful experiences and moments must often …
Highlights From The Spring 2022 Prospective Missionary Devotional,
2022
Brigham Young University
Highlights From The Spring 2022 Prospective Missionary Devotional, Marcus B. Nash
Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel
This article is a transcription of the Spring 2022 Prospective Missionary Devotional featuring Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy, with two future missionaries, Hannah Bingham and Carter Boswell, serving as hosts. The semiannual Prospective Missionary Devotional is presented by BYU Religious Education and the Utah Valley Institute of Religion. During the devotional, Elder Nash asked several current and future missionaries to answer questions about their experiences and the challenges they were facing. Following this portion, Elder Nash answered questions that the audience had submitted. The devotional concluded with Elder Nash giving prospective missionaries some crucial tips on how to …
"Knocking On People's Computers" Missionary Work In The Digital Age,
2022
Brigham Young University
"Knocking On People's Computers" Missionary Work In The Digital Age, Scott L. Howell, Liberty Howell, Camellia Hill
Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel
The missionary purpose of bringing souls unto Christ will never change, but the methods of sharing it will. Over fifty years ago, President Harold B. Lee taught that “the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are divine. Nobody changes the principles and [doctrine] of the Church except the Lord by revelation. But methods change as the inspired direction comes to those who preside at a given time.”[1] In a recent Church News podcast, Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy reminded us that “no matter the method we use to do missionary work: Whether it’s a …
Review: Sondra G. Jones. Being And Becoming Ute: The Story Of An American Indian People. Salt Lake City: University Of Utah Press, 2019.,
2022
Brigham Young University
Review: Sondra G. Jones. Being And Becoming Ute: The Story Of An American Indian People. Salt Lake City: University Of Utah Press, 2019., Elise Boxer
Mormon Studies Review
Sondra G. Jones’s Being and Becoming Ute: The Story of an American Indian People is the first comprehensive history of the Núu-ci, or “The People” (8). It is a cultural biography and history of the Núu-ci people that begins with their creation story and moves through hundreds of years of Núu-ci history. Jones highlights the resiliency and adaptation of a people from contact and into the twenty-first century. Ute survivance in the twenty-first century is the result of their ability to respond and adapt to external forces that advocated for their removal and erasure. Being and Becoming Ute spans over …
Pedro And Pita Built Peter Priesthood’S Mansion And Now They Work The Grounds: Whose Masc Does “The Lamanite” Wear?,
2022
Brigham Young University
Pedro And Pita Built Peter Priesthood’S Mansion And Now They Work The Grounds: Whose Masc Does “The Lamanite” Wear?, Arcia Tecun
Mormon Studies Review
The 2001 film The Other Side of Heaven is a dramatization based on John H. Groberg’s book In the Eye of the Storm, featuring his time as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church) in the Kingdom of Tonga, where he was renamed Kolipoki.1 Kolipoki is a White missionary from the United States who is initially assigned to work together with a Brown Indigenous companion Feki Pōuha. Feki cares for and protects his pālangi (foreign) companion by teaching him the language as well as serving as his guide into local culture and customs. …
