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.
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Abraham And Isaac Story On Video,
2023
Brigham Young University
Abraham And Isaac Story On Video
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A new film produced by the LDS motion picture studio, Akedah: The Binding, richly portrays Abraham's great test of faith when God commanded him to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
New Book Brings Isaiah's Writings To Life,
2023
Brigham Young University
New Book Brings Isaiah's Writings To Life
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Understanding Isaiah, a new book by Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina Peterson, published by Deseret Book, examines Isaiah's message in light of historical and prophetic details.
Reprint Probes How Evidence Facilitates Belief,
2023
Brigham Young University
Reprint Probes How Evidence Facilitates Belief
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A new FARMS reprint makes available a lengthy paper first presented by John W. Welch in 1995 at the twenty-fourth annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium at BYU. In "The Power of Evidence in the Nurturing of Faith," Welch offers the most extensive analysis available of the role of evidence in strengthening one's faith in the Book of Mormon.
Farms Welcomes Two New Staff Members,
2023
Brigham Young University
Farms Welcomes Two New Staff Members
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
FARMS is pleased to welcome Wendy C. Thompson and Jann E. Cahoon as its newest staff members.
Lds Scholar Reviews Southern Baptists' Attempt To Understand So-Called Mormon Puzzle,
2023
Brigham Young University
Lds Scholar Reviews Southern Baptists' Attempt To Understand So-Called Mormon Puzzle
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In anticipation of its June 1998 national meeting in Salt Lake City, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) released a kit of curriculum materials designed to assist Southern Baptists in understanding and evangelizing Latter-day Saints. Daniel C. Peterson's thorough and penetrating review of this material appears in the current FARMS Review of Books. Because of heavy prepublication interest, we are also making this review available as a separate reprint (see the order form).
Byu Scholar Clarifies Mormon Faith,
2023
Brigham Young University
Byu Scholar Clarifies Mormon Faith
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
"One need not become either a convert to or a crusader for the LDS Church to understand the phenomenon or the people," Robert L. Millet explains in the preface to his new book, The Mormon Faith: A New Look at Christianity. "And if anything is needed in this complex and confusing world, it is understanding." To help promote understanding concerning the church and its members, Dr. Millet, BYU professor of ancient scripture, attempts to objectively and accurately inform the reader about LDS beliefs and practices.
Former Farms President Receives Byu Appointment,
2023
Brigham Young University
Former Farms President Receives Byu Appointment
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Noel B. Reynolds, who recently stepped down as president of FARMS, has been named associate academic vice president for undergraduate studies at BYU. Reynolds has served on the FARMS board of directors for the past eleven years, as the organization's president for the past six years, and as director of the FARMS Center for the Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts for the past two years. BYU president Merrill J. Bateman extended the new appointment to Reynolds in April.
Better That One Man Perish,
2023
Brigham Young University
Better That One Man Perish, John W. Welch, Heidi H. Parker
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
When constraining Nephi to slay Laban, the Spirit gave the sober justification that "it is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief" (1 Nephi 4:13). Alma invoked this same justification when reluctantly subjecting Korihor to divine punishment (see Alma 30:47). This principle runs sharply contrary to modern liberal jurisprudence, but a different view prevailed in certain cases under biblical law.
Farms Review Of Books Examines Works That Misrepresent The Church,
2023
Brigham Young University
Farms Review Of Books Examines Works That Misrepresent The Church
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
The new issue of the FARMS Review of Books (volume 10, number 1) reviews several recent publications that are critical of the LDS Church. The Review also examines a Book of Mormon study aid and two novels related to the Book of Mormon.
Byu Research Center Gets New Director,
2023
Brigham Young University
Byu Research Center Gets New Director
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
One of the newest entities at Brigham Young University has a new director. The university administration has appointed Daniel C. Peterson, chairman of the FARMS board, to be the director of the Center for the Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts (CPART), a subsidiary of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. He succeeds Noel B. Reynolds, who was recently named associate academic vice president of BYU (see story on page 3). This appointment will constitute Peterson's primary university assignment, and he will be released from most of his teaching duties during his service as director.
Full Issue,
2023
Brigham Young University
Full Issue
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Elder Holland's Published Address On Isaiah Is Also Available On Tape,
2023
Brigham Young University
Elder Holland's Published Address On Isaiah Is Also Available On Tape
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In the wake of the recent FARMS release of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon (1998), we have received a number of requests for the audiotape of the first chapter by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, which was the keynote address at the FARMS symposium that resulted in the book. We are pleased to make that tape available again at a discount through the order form included with this issue of INSIGHTS.
"Weasel Words"- A Feature Of Careful Scholarship,
2023
Brigham Young University
"Weasel Words"- A Feature Of Careful Scholarship
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Sometimes readers misunderstand the careful, deliberate phrasing that scholars commonly employ to ensure accuracy in their assertions. So-called weasel words like possibly and likely do not simply reflect timidity on the author's part; rather, they are often necessary to avoid overstatement and other misrepresentations of the facts.
Books On Cd And Web,
2023
Brigham Young University
Books On Cd And Web
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Two new FARMS books, Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited and LDS Perspectives on the Dead Sea Scrolls, plus other FARMS volumes and more than two thousand other works, are included on a new CD, "Infobases Collectors Library."
Imaging The Fire-Damaged Petra Scrolls,
2023
Brigham Young University
Imaging The Fire-Damaged Petra Scrolls
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
A FARMS-sponsored team specializing in state-of-the-art imaging technology is producing remarkable images of the Petra scrolls. These ancient papyrus documents were found in a charred heap during the 1993 excavation of a sixth-century Byzantine church in Petra, in southwestern Jordan.
Byu Symposium Honors Renowned Lds Scholar,
2023
Brigham Young University
Byu Symposium Honors Renowned Lds Scholar
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Scholars who contributed to the newly released FARMS book Mormons, Scripture, and the Ancient World: Studies in Honor of John L. Sorenson presented their papers at a symposium held at Brigham Young University on 21 March 1998. Sponsored by the BYU Department of Anthropology and FARMS, the half-day event featured seven LDS scholars who summarized their recent research and then responded to questions from the audience.
New Volume Of Research Honors John L. Sorenson,
2023
Brigham Young University
New Volume Of Research Honors John L. Sorenson
Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
To many, John L. Sorenson is best known for his research on the lands and cultures of Book of Mormon peoples, the topic of his 1985 book, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, and the focus of his most recent book, Images of Ancient America: Visualizing Book of Mormon Life (see article on page 1). A highly trained anthropologist, Sorenson has often broken new ground in other areas of his discipline as well, such as his penetrating empirical studies of Mormon culture. Aside from teaching courses in anthropology and archaeology at BYU for many years, Sorenson …
