Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Chiasmus In Alma 36,
2023
Brigham Young University
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,
2023
Brigham Young University
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.
1988 Updates Available,
2023
Brigham Young University
1988 Updates Available
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The collection of Updates from 1988 can now be ordered. The topics of these executive reports on up-to-the minute research include the Sermon at the Temple (3 Nephi 11-18), the tradition of Lehi 's landing in Chile, wordprints, silk and linen, the Original Book of Mormon Manuscript, Israelite terms for law in the Book of Mormon, and others.
Lehi And The Fall,
2023
Brigham Young University
Lehi And The Fall
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
If you have ever wanted to attend Hugh Nibley's Pearl of Great Price class but couldn't, here's your chance. For years, this course has intrigued, bewildered, inspired, and stimulated many of the finest minds at Brigham Young University. The entire class is now available to the public on video-tape. These videos, together with transcripts of each lecture, are available exclusively from BYU Continuing Education.
Videotapes Of Hugh Nibley's Pearl Of Great Price Class Now Available Through Byu Continuing Education,
2023
Brigham Young University
Videotapes Of Hugh Nibley's Pearl Of Great Price Class Now Available Through Byu Continuing Education
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
If you have ever wanted to attend Hugh Nibley's Pearl of Great Price class but couldn't, here's your chance. For years, this course has intrigued, bewildered, inspired, and stimulated many of the finest minds at Brigham Young University. The entire class is now available to the public on video-tape. These videos, together with transcripts of each lecture, are available exclusively from BYU Continuing Education.
Hugh Nibley On "The Meaning Of The Atonement" Now Available,
2023
Brigham Young University
Hugh Nibley On "The Meaning Of The Atonement" Now Available
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In a recent address, Hugh Nibley discussed the significance of the atonement. "The atonement," according to Brother Nibley, "is nothing less than the answer to the Terrible Question : 'Is this all there is?"'
When Did Jesus Appear In Bountiful,
2023
Brigham Young University
When Did Jesus Appear In Bountiful
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
It is generally believed that Jesus appeared in Bountiful shortly after his resurrection, even before the dust had settled on the destructions that had occurred at the time of his death. The text of the Book of Mormon, however, is not so clear.
Research Reports,
2023
Brigham Young University
Research Reports
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In recent months F.A.R.M.S. has given research grants to several qualified scholars. Watch for further reports in future issues of this Newsletter as their projects progress.
President's Message,
2023
Brigham Young University
President's Message, Stephen Ricks
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Perhaps no president of the Church in recent memory has stressed the importance of reading and studying the Book of Mormon more often than President Benson. In the October 1988 General Conference of the Church, President Benson commended the many people who have promoted Book of Mormon study, and he stated: "The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to 'sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out [His] elect' (Moses 7:62). This sacred volume of scripture needs to become more central in our preaching, our teaching, and our missionary work .... We need to read …
Symposium On Warfare Announced,
2023
Brigham Young University
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,
2023
Brigham Young University
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 …
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Warfare Research Group Organized,
2023
Brigham Young University
Warfare Research Group Organized
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A research group working on warfare in the Book of Mormon has been formed. Anyone interested in any aspect of warfare in the Bible, the ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, or Book of Mormon is invited to contact Stephen Ricks, 4076 JKHB, BYU, (801) 378-5428, or 378-3295, or Bill Hamblin, 802 Pineview Dr., Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401 .
Wednesday Seminar,
2023
Brigham Young University
Wednesday Seminar
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Beginning in February, an informal working seminar will meet at BYU every second and fourth Wednesday, at 12:00 noon, in 919 SWKT, for lunch and to discuss Book of Mormon research in progress. Interested people are welcome to contact Noel Reynolds, 764 SWKT, BYU, (801) 378-2391, for further information .
Hofmann Admits Forgery,
2023
Brigham Young University
Hofmann Admits Forgery
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
F.A.R.M.S. members outside of Utah may be unaware of new developments regarding Mark Hofmann, who has recently pleaded guilty to reduced murder and fraud charges and has been sentenced to prison. Part of the plea bargaining included Hofmann's agreement to tell all about his forging of documents purporting to related to LDS Church and colonial U.S. history. Hofmann has admitted that the "Salamander Letter" was a hoax, and indications are that all major documents he "found" during the past nine years may prove to have been extremely clever and insidious frauds. The sadness of this situation is inexpressible. We extend …
Advisory Board,
2023
Brigham Young University
Advisory Board
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The F.A.R.M.S. Advisory Board has recently been expanded and more specifically organized. John Sorenson has become the Chairman of the Board. Three standing committees have been formed and are now operational. They are the Research Committee (Stephen Ricks, chai r; with William Evenson, Noel Reynolds, Chauncey Riddle, and Robert K. Thomas); the Evaluation Committee (John Sorenson, chair; with Bill Hess, Kirk Magleby, Harold Miller, Douglas Phillips, and Jay Todd); and the Production Committee (Jack Welch, chair; with Merrill Bateman, Robert Driggs, and Charles Tate). All these people serve as volunteers. Their time, efforts, and wisdom are greatly appreciated in steering …
Forms Of Nephite Laws Considered,
2023
Brigham Young University
Forms Of Nephite Laws Considered
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical laws were written according to certain stylistic conventions. Two such formal aspects of ancient law have recently been used to sharpen our understanding of Nephite law as well. In "Series of Laws in the Book of Mormon," John W. Welch examines ten significantly consistent law lists from which one can reconstruct a fairly clear picture of the underlying Nephite law code and its relationship to the Code of the Covenant in Exodus 20-23.
Why Did Nephi Write 1 Nephi?,
2023
Brigham Young University
Why Did Nephi Write 1 Nephi?
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Nephi's primary stated purpose for writing the book of 1 Nephi was "to persuade men to come unto God" (1 Ne. 6:4). In addition, his writings served several other unstated purposes, as Noel B. Reynolds demonstrates in "The Political Dimensions of Nephi 's Small Plates." Nephi was the fourth son in his family, and, as such, he was not entitled to the rights of leadership and ownership belonging to the eldest son.
Nibley On Change, Utopians, And Sacred Vestments,
2023
Brigham Young University
Nibley On Change, Utopians, And Sacred Vestments
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Three new papers are added at this time to our Nibley Archive. The first, a speech entitled "Change Out of Control," is about the inevitable and constant role of change in the history of mankind and in the progress of the individual soul." The Gospel invites us to move toward the unknown," especially through "individual freedom to repent and go the other way."
