Ancient Games On The Internet,
2023
Brigham Young University
Ancient Games On The Internet
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
FARMS subscribers can enjoy electronic versions of games played by the ancients, located on the Internet at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/psneeley. This site features ancient Maya, Egyptian, and Sumerian games, among others.
Farms Improves Benefits For Its Members,
2023
Brigham Young University
Farms Improves Benefits For Its Members
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
As a result of changes in the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies and of findings from an in-depth membership survey that FARMS conducted earlier this year, FARMS members will now see a change in their benefits package. Formerly, for a $12 annual fee, members received six issues of the INSIGHTS newsletter. Starting with this issue, members will receive twelve issues (double the number), plus a subscription to the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. The Journal (see related article on page 1) has been newly redesigned and will be published twice a year. The new annual membership fee …
The Laws Of Eshnunna And Nephite Economics,
2023
Brigham Young University
The Laws Of Eshnunna And Nephite Economics, John W. Welch
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In order for ancient economies to work effectively, kings spelled out the value of various commodities and established exchange ratios, especially between consumable goods and precious metals. For example, the Laws of Eshnunna, promulgated in Babylonia probably during the reign of Dadusha in the early eighteenth century B.C., instituted a system of weights and measures.
Review Surveys Mixed Bag Of Publications,
2023
Brigham Young University
Review Surveys Mixed Bag Of Publications
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The newest issue of the FARMS Review of Books (volume 10, number 2) surveys a diverse crop of recent publications, some inviting high praise, others substantial refutation, and some a mixture of both.
Journal Of Book Of Mormon Studies Redesigned To Serve The Needs Of A Broader Audience,
2023
Brigham Young University
Journal Of Book Of Mormon Studies Redesigned To Serve The Needs Of A Broader Audience
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
When the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies was launched in the fall of 1992, the aim of its editor, Stephen D. Ricks, was to produce "a journal dedicated solely to the serious and faithful study of the Book of Mormon in its historical, linguistic, cultural, and theological context."
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Scholars Share Research On The Book Of Abraham,
2023
Brigham Young University
Scholars Share Research On The Book Of Abraham
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
On 19 September FARMS convened a working group on the book of Abraham at Brigham Young University. Scholars and researchers from across the United States gathered to exchange research on the book of Abraham, while international researchers participated via mail and e-mail. Topics covered historical, geographic, doctrinal, cultural, and scientific issues related to the book of Abraham. This research is coordinated by BYU history professor William J. Hamblin and John Gee, assistant research professor at FARMS. At the half-day meeting, participants discussed such topics as the location of the Chaldees and the nature of Abrahamic astronomy.
Reprint Rebuts Critics' Claims, Reveals Tactics,
2023
Brigham Young University
Reprint Rebuts Critics' Claims, Reveals Tactics
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
FARMS is pleased to offer a reprint of Offenders for a Word, by Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks. This book explains the tactics many anti-Mormons employ in attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also answers critics' objections to Latter-day Saint beliefs in the Godhead, polygamy, salvation by grace and works, eternal progression, the idea of a premortal existence, the role of Joseph Smith, the nature of the Holy Ghost, and much more.
A Modern Example Of A Night Without Darkness,
2023
Brigham Young University
A Modern Example Of A Night Without Darkness, John A. Tvedtnes
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A remarkable event recorded in the Book of Mormon was the night of Christ's birth, at which time light remained even after sundown (see Helaman 14:3-4; 3 Nephi 1:8, 15). To some this seems impossible, totally unexplainable in scientific terms despite the fact that the Bible describes similar phenomena for the Israelite exodus from Egypt (see, for example, Exodus 14:19-20; Nehemiah 9:19; Psalm 78: 14) and for the millennial era (see Zechariah 14:6-7; Revelation 21:10-11; 22:5). Even the believer, while satisfied that the Lord can perform miracles beyond our comprehension, is fascinated by the night without darkness that heralded the …
Biblical Editing: Clues In The Seams,
2023
Brigham Young University
Biblical Editing: Clues In The Seams, Grant R. Hardy
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
As LDS renders focus on the Bible this year and next, the following excerpt may give students ideas to think about. Many readers of the Bible recognize that its constituent books were transmitted from ancient times to the modern world through the anonymous work of countless editors, scribes, and translators. What is sometimes not clear, however, is the process by which some biblical books were recorded and passed down. Careful analysis of the biblical text reveals that certain passages were drawn from. multiple sources and shaped by the hand of editors many centuries ago. Such textual studies can illuminate the …
Cursing A Litigant With Speechlessness,
2023
Brigham Young University
Cursing A Litigant With Speechlessness, John W. Welch
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Alma's curse on Korihor, "In the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance" (Alma 30:49), resembles an ancient Greek practice of cursing a litigant with speechlessness. When the curse materialized, divine disapproval was so clear that Korihor was compelled to yield the case.
Progress On The Maya Murals Of Bonampak,
2023
Brigham Young University
Progress On The Maya Murals Of Bonampak
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The February 1996 issue of INSIGHTS reported that FARMS was assisting Yale University and the National Geographic Society in photographing the deteriorating Maya murals at the Bonampak site in Chiapas, Mexico. Using a multispectral filter provided by FARMS, the Bonampak team captured on film vivid details of the mural scenes otherwise obscured by centuries of decay and incrustation.
New Booklet Explains Basic Lds Beliefs,
2023
Brigham Young University
New Booklet Explains Basic Lds Beliefs
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
FARMS and the BYU Religious Studies Center have jointly published a booklet that discusses some of the beliefs of members of the LDS Church. The contributors to Latter-day Christianity: Ten Basic Issues hope these discussions will, first, help Latter-day Saints who want to explain their beliefs to their friends of other faiths and, second, be useful to people outside the LDS Church who want a simple and clear statement of those beliefs from informed insiders.
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Contributions Of Farms Members Still Crucial,
2023
Brigham Young University
Contributions Of Farms Members Still Crucial
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
As FARMS has become part of Brigham Young University, some of the faithful members of FARMS have asked if their support is still important to the Foundation. The answer is a resounding yes! Just in the financial area alone, membership fees (which we have also called subscriptions) are crucial to the research and publications of the Foundation. The university contributes less than 20 percent of the Foundation's annual operating budget-a very welcome contribution, but obviously not enough to keep FARMS and its projects running. We still must rely on membership fees, donations, and the sale of publications to support ongoing …
Nibley Fellows A Fruitful Investment,
2023
Brigham Young University
Nibley Fellows A Fruitful Investment
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Each year FARMS grants fellowships in the name of Hugh Nibley to promising graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in fields of particular interest to FARMS. Three of these rising scholars have since earned doctoral degrees and received appointments at BYU and FARMS. They have already published material through FARMS as Nibley Fellows, and they are now in a position to make further contributions to the work of FARMS.
Lectures Spotlight New Research,
2023
Brigham Young University
Lectures Spotlight New Research
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Since the beginning of the year, nine FARMS brown bag lectures have kept attendees abreast of new developments in ancient research.
The "Lamb Of God" In Pre-Christian Texts,
2023
Brigham Young University
The "Lamb Of God" In Pre-Christian Texts, John W. Welch
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
One of Nephi's favorite titles for Jesus Christ was "the Lamb of God." Forty-four references to "the Lamb" appear in Nephi's vision in 1 Nephi 11-14 alone. Aside from the Latter-day Saint understanding of a similar reference in Moses 7:47 and perhaps Isaiah 53:7, what evidence supports the Old World origins of this terminology?
Ten Major Studies Reprinted,
2023
Brigham Young University
Ten Major Studies Reprinted
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
FARMS has selected ten papers from among the many interesting and significant contributions to Book of Mormon scholarship and ancient studies published in the last five years. These articles, now available for the first time as separate reprints in the hope they will be read and discussed widely, shed valuable light on the translation, ancient origin, and authenticity of the Book of Mormon and on related matters of language, culture, and doctrine.
A Scientific Look At The Cataclysm In 3 Nephi,
2023
Brigham Young University
A Scientific Look At The Cataclysm In 3 Nephi
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
As a sign of the Savior's crucifixion, a three-hour cataclysm in the Americas erased entire cities, enshrouded the land in three days of darkness, and transformed "the face of the whole earth" (3 Nephi 8:17). Thanks to an illuminating study by a BYU geologist, certain anomalous aspects of that massive destruction now are understood better than ever before.
