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Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

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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 …

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, 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

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

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.

Qosqo: A Documentary Approach To The Preservation Of Andean Culture, Emma Volz

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis and creative project aspire to follow the well-worn path of documentary filmmaking. The written portion of this thesis includes background information on Incan history and the Southern Andean language of Quechua that informed and developed into my film, Qosqo. The short documentary is a hybrid between traditional and experimental non-fiction filmmaking, exploring Cusco, Peru’s spirituality through the sage perspective of a native Cusqueñan woman, Norma Sanchez de Incaroca.

The film is a personal reflection of Norma’s experience with the Quechua language, a historically marginalized and currently endangered language. Her reflections are framed within the context of Cusco’s complex …

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

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

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

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 …

Deadline For Nibley Fellowships

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 degrees in fields of interest to FARMS. The fellowships honor Nibley's contributions to LDS scholarship. They are intended to help young scholars make contributions to research in fields related to ancient scripture.

Farms Board Elects Oswald As Next President

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The FARMS board of trustees has elected Daniel Oswald to serve as the next president of the Foundation. His title will change, becoming executive director of FARMS as the affiliation with Brigham Young University is completed. He replaces Noel B. Reynolds, who has served marvelously as president since November 1991.

New Volume Explores King Benjamin's Speech

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

A long-awaited, 679-page volume on King Benjamin's speech has just come off the press-one of four books that FARMS is pleased to have published independently in 1998 (see the articles above and on page 4). Edited by John, W. Welch and Stephen D. Ricks, King Benjamin's Speech: "That Ye May Learn Wisdom" is the culmination of many years' research on numerous aspects of this profound address.

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Book Donations Enhance Farms Research Library

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The LDS Church Translation Department has donated a collection of books and journals to FARMS. Tod Harris, manager of the department, delivered the 163 books and periodicals, including such works as Vetus Testamentum, Novum Testamentum, Novum Testamentum Supplements, Studies in the History of Religions, Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity, and The Chicago Assyrian Dictionary. Several of these items will be of immediate value in FARMS research projects currently under way.

Sperry Symposium Papers On Old Testament Prophets Published

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The twenty-sixth annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, sponsored by BYU and the Church Educational System, focused on the writings of Old Testament prophets. The publication of papers from that symposium by Deseret Book under the title Voices of Old Testament Prophets provides a significant opportunity to reflect on prophetic voices of the past and their value for Latter-day Saints. See the order form accompanying this issue of Insights to order your own copy.

Reflections On The Psalms By C. S. Lewis

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

FARMS is pleased to make available a short commentary by C. S. Lewis, noted Christian scholar and author, entitled Reflections on the Psalms, at a discount (see the order form). In the introduction Lewis explains that he writes "as one amateur to another" about what he has learned from the Psalms; his purpose is to compare notes rather than to teach.

Did Joseph Smith Know Egyptian?

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

In a letter addressed to Grant S. Heward of Midvale, Utah, an outspoken critic of the book of Abraham, William Foxwell Albright, the doyen of American ancient Near Eastern studies, wrote: "There does appear to be evidence that Joseph Smith had studied some Egyptian. For one thing, he undoubtedly spent a great deal of money and effort in trying to master Egyptian, but, as you know, when the Book of Mormon was written, Egyptian had just begun to be deciphered and it is all the more surprising that there are two Egyptian names, Paanchi and Pahor(an) which appear together in …

Farms Website Expands To Serve You Better

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

For the past two years, volunteers and FARMS staff have been establishing a strong presence for the Foundation on the World Wide Web. With over 350 pages (and growing), the FARMS website (www.farmsresearch.com) features some of the best FARMS publications. It keeps current with the latest catalog and Insights, and it includes excerpts from the latest FARMS Review of Books and Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. Visitors to the site can take advantage of special discounts on popular FARMS products. There is even an online order form that you can print out and mail or fax, plus …

Brown Bags Continue To Inform

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The FARMS Brown Bag Lectures are an ongoing series intended to update BYU faculty, staff, and students and interested members of the community on the progress of Book of Mormon research.

Papers In Honor Of John L. Sorenson To Be Presented At March Farms Conference

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

On 21 March 1998, a conference will be held at Brigham Young University featuring several papers that will be included in a forthcoming Festschrift in honor of BYU's emeritus professor John L. Sorenson. The event, "Mormons, Scripture, and the Ancient World," is cosponsored by FARMS and BYU's Department of Anthropology. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. in room 151 of the Tanner Building on the BYU campus. It is free and open to the public.