Digital Commons Network^™

Mormonism In Europe: A Bibliographic Essay, J. Michael Hunter

Faculty Publications

“Mormonism in Europe: A Bibliographic Essay,” surveys studies useful to serious students and researchers interested in Mormonism in Europe. It focuses on scholarly books, articles, theses, and dissertations published prior to 2010 about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Europe. Out of necessity it is selective. Works of a more popular nature are included only when they contain information valuable to researchers not found in other publications. The studies listed herein are generally categorized by region and country and fall in a somewhat chronological order by topic within those geographic regions.

The Living Earth: A Nineteenth-Century Latter-Day Saint Perspective, J. Michael Hunter

Faculty Publications

By studying the worldview of Mormons living in the nineteenth century, we can better understand their interpretation of nature and their relationship to it. For Mormons of that era, the earth was alive and deeply affected by the attitudes and actions of the humans living upon it. Nineteenth-century Latter-day Saints spoke frequently of the earth, its nature, and its relationship to humanity. They referred to the earth in anthropomorphic terms. It was a living orb endowed with intelligence and feelings. The earth’s life paralleled that of the humans who lived on it. So entwined were the lives of the earth …

Thoughts On Reclaiming The History Of Relief Scoiety, Rachel Cope

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

No abstract provided.

End Matter

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

No abstract provided.

"The Spiritual Concept Of Form And Function As One": Structure, Doctrine, And The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Cheryl B. Preston

BYU Studies

Cheryl B. Preston describes how the structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints interacts with its theological substance. Likening Church substance and structure to the design theories of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Preston observes that unity is realized when form and function work in harmony. Form does not follow function, but goes hand in hand; thriving in a faith community occurs when the doctrine (function) of the Church is in alliance with the administrative structures (form) of the Church.

By means of this paradigm, Preston approaches various questions arising from an exploration of Church form and function: …

All Ye Need To Know, John D. Lamb

BYU Studies

Chemistry and biochemistry professor John D. Lamb, recipient of the 2013 Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award, delivered this forum address on May 20, 2014 at Brigham Young University. Taking his theme from Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn," Lamb discusses the value of learning and different ways of gaining knowledge. He contrasts opportunities for light and learning with forces that promote evil and ignorance. Quoting Hugh Nibley, Lamb warns against the dangers of "evading the responsibility of directing our minds to the highest possible object. . . . If the mind is denied functioning to capacity, it will …

"If There Be Faults": Reviewing Earl Wunderli's An Imperfect Book, Matthew Roper, Paul Fields, Larry Bassist

BYU Studies

Earl M. Wunderli rejects the Book of Mormon as a literal history of ancient America. He points to what he thinks are mistakes in the text, pointing to so-called anachronistic words such as steel and silk. Matthew Roper and his colleagues convincingly overturn Wunderli's assertions. The description of Laban's sword of "most precious steel" is now considered accurate since the discovery of a meter-long steel sword at the ancient site of Jericho dating to the time of King Josiah. Likewise, silk has recently been found in eastern Turkey dating to 750 BC.

Wunderli also presents textual evidence using statistics …

The Book Of Jonah: Foreshadowings Of Jesus As The Christ, David R. Scott

BYU Studies

The book of Jonah is a remarkable story perhaps best known for the stubbornness of a prophet, the great fish that swallows and then regurgitates Jonah, the conversion of the whole city of Nineveh, and the rapid growth and death of a gourd. But this small book has a much deeper, more powerful message that has been obscured through the ages: that the Messiah would live and die to make salvation available to all humankind.

In images from Jonah's storm-tossed sea experiences to those in his prophetic prayer of affliction while in the Lord's great fish (belly of hell), the …

Getting Into The Meat Of The Word Of Wisdom, A. Jane Birch

Faculty Publications

Doctrine & Covenants Section 89 is known as the "health code" for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In verse 13 of this scripture, the Lord states, “it is pleasing unto me that they [flesh of beasts and fowls of the air] should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine” (D&C 89:13). Judging from the variety of interpretations this single verse has inspired, it would appear to be deeply enigmatic. Interestingly, most interpretations have been put forward with little supporting evidence. This article is the first comprehensive analysis of the …

Investigating The One-On-One Master-Apprentice Relationship: A Case Study In Traditional Craft Apprenticeship, Isaac W. Calvert

Theses and Dissertations

Governments around the world are calling for a revival of apprenticeship on a large scale, emphasizing the value of the one-on-one, human interaction between master and apprentice and the teaching involved in that interaction. Although a broader historical view of apprenticeship shares these ideas, certain prominent threads within recent educational research have done a great deal to deemphasize them. Some go so far as to overlook the master-apprentice relationship altogether, assert that masters simply do not exist, and claim that apprenticeship learning happens without any teaching at all. In response to these claims, the researcher took part in an autoethnographic …

Acquisition Of L2 Phonology: An Acoustic Analysis Of The Centralization Of L2 Spanish /A/ In Adult L1 English-Speaking Learners, Alexander Charles Aldrich

Theses and Dissertations

Although many studies have been carried out regarding the acquisition of Spanish as a second language, very few have focused on the acquisition of Spanish vowels. Studies that have compared the L2 production of Spanish vowels in learners who have spent an extensive time living abroad versus at home learners are scarce at best. The present study hopes to add to the literature by comparing the L2 pronunciation of the Spanish /a/ in these two groups using an acoustic analysis with the aid of speech-signal processing software and the inclusion of a native group for comparison. In addition, it hopes …

Engaging Intellect And Feeding Faith: A Conversation With Robert L. Millet, Lloyd D. Newell

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

No abstract provided.

Reading The Song Of Solomon As A Latter-Day Saint, Dana M. Pike

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

No abstract provided.

Sidney Rigdon's Plea To The Saints: Transcription Of Thomas Bullock's Shorthand Notes From The August 8, 1844, Morning Meeting, Robin S. Jensen, Lajean P. Carruth

BYU Studies

At meetings held in Nauvoo, Illinois, on August 8, 1844, Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young each asserted their claims to succeed Joseph Smith as leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thomas Bullock, the clerk for the Church Historian's Office, recorded notes of the morning meeting, including speeches by Rigdon and Young, in Taylor shorthand. Until recently, Bullock's notes have not been deciphered and transcribed. This article presents the transcription of this source and an introduction to establish the context of the meeting.

Bullock's notes are fragmentary but are the only known source to have been taken …

Izapa Sacred Space: Sculpture Calendar Codes, Allen J. Christenson, V. Garth Norman

BYU Studies

This book is the culmination of fifty years of research by one of the foremost scholars in the field of Pre-Classic Mesoamerican studies, particularly focusing on the important site of Izapa, located on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico near the border of Guatemala. Archaeologist V. Garth Norman began his work at Izapa in 1962 and continued to work at the site for two decades on behalf of the New World Archaeological Foundation, resulting in the publication of his Izapa Sculpture: Album in 1973, Izapa Sculpture: Text in 1976, and Astronomical Orientations of Izapa Sculptures in 1980, a pioneering contribution …

End Matter

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

No abstract provided.

A Study In Seven: Hebrew Numerology In The Book Of Mormon, Corbin Volluz

BYU Studies

The subject of Hebrew numerology in the Book of Mormon has been identified as a promising field of study still open to fruitful exploration. Meaning is found in many ways, and one way is in the symbolism of numbers. Previous studies have discussed significant uses of the numbers ten, twenty-four, and fifty in the Book of Mormon, beginning with explanations of the symbolic importance of such numbers in ancient literatures, and then pointing out similar usages in the Nephite record. This article adds to those discussions by drawing attention to the number seven and things that occur seven times in …

Exploring Mormon Thought: Of God And Gods, James M. Mclauchlan, Blake T. Ostler

BYU Studies

Blake T. Ostler's monumental systematic work, Exploring Mormon Thought, continues to be a major event in the development of Mormon philosophical theology. Over the last fifteen years, work on Mormonism in the general field of religious studies has exploded. There are far too many works to give even a partial list here, but I will highlight a few of the notable authors. Terryl L. Givens publishes thoughtful and nuanced work in such books as When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence in Western Thought; Stephen H. Webb memorably discusses Mormon "materialism" from the perspective of a philosophical theologian outside Mormonism in …

Exploring The First Vision, Alonzo Dodge, James T. Summerhays, Steven C. Harper

BYU Studies

This book sets out to do exactly what the title says it does--explore the First Vision. For most readers, that exploration will take them places they have not yet seen. Writings by many well-known Church scholars are brought together to give a broader and deeper meaning to the genesis event of the Restoration. Contributors include scholars such as Steven C. Harper, John W. Welch, Milton V. Backman Jr., Richard Lloyd Anderson, and Larry C. Porter. Their qualifications, research, and insights are impressive, and they have strived, in an evenhanded and rigorous way, to achieve the "coupling [of] historical study with …

Armenian Apocrypha Relating To Abraham, Michael E. Stone, E. Douglas Clark

BYU Studies

Over a decade ago while attending an annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, I heard Professor Michael Stone mention he was working on a group of medieval Armenian texts containing traditions about the Patriarch Abraham. Having spent considerable time gathering every Abrahamic tradition I could find, I was excited at this news and asked when the work would be published. Professor Stone replied that it would not be soon. Since then, I have eagerly looked forward to this volume.

As one of Stone's many publications on Armenian apocrypha, and a sequel to two of those in particular ( …

“Take Heed With What Measure Ye Mete” Do Current Outcomes Of Religious Scholarship Reflect The Actual Impact Of Religion?, Justin Christensen, Dr. Sam Hardy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Scholarly research on religion reports many outcomes of religious involvement such as better physical and mental health, fewer risk-taking behaviors, and greater involvement in moral or pro-social actions (Hood, Hill, & Spilka, 2009; Cotton, McGrady, & Rosenthal, 2010). These outcomes represent a small fraction of the total possible outcomes of religious involvement, and while they do exist, little evidence has been given to show that religious adherents identify these outcomes as being the most salient outcomes for them. Therefore, our purpose in conducting this study was two-fold: 1) Allow religious adherents to report on the outcomes that they have noticed …

Full Issue, Byu Studies

BYU Studies

No abstract provided.

The Moral And Spiritual Heritage Of The United States: A Resource For Teachers, Karalee Flinders Jackman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project was a historical investigation. It documents the moral and spiritual heritage of America which appears to have shifted dramatically between 1880 and 1920. Historical research designs can be quantitative and/ or qualitative in nature. While there are many branches of historical studies. this investigation followed that of “intellectual history.” Intellectual histories compliment the investigation of world perspectives. The evidence in this study demonstrates a radical change has occurred In the world view from that espoused by early American writers. The move has shifted from the sacred, toward the secular. Prospective teachers from Brigham Young University, who will teach …

Educational Attainment And Parity Among Mormons And Non- Mormons In Utah, William J. Jensen, Dr. Ray M. Merrill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent decades, a common view arose that increased educational attainment led to less religious commitment and in views counter to spiritual growth but that encouraged scientific and intellectual accomplishments. 1234 Turning away from spiritual to secular explanations of life has received considerable attention (Stark 1998).

Dramatic Elements In The Seminary/Institute Classroom, Daniel P. Stowell, George Nelson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gordon B. Hinckley, current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently stated, “The schooling of our spirits is as important as the schooling of our minds, if not more important”(67). Hinckley here underlines the importance and reason for this study. Religious studies should have all the benefits dramatic elements provide. The purpose of this research project is to explore the possible effects of infusing theatrical or dramatic elements in the Seminary/Institute classroom. I have observed classes, interviewed a number of teachers, and researched the elements of theatre I thought the most pertinent to this portion of …

Sarcasm In The Bible: Old Testament Prophets And The Unbridled Tongue, Leanna Kowallis, Dr. Steven Walker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Studying the Bible as literature, as opposed to studying it solely as scripture, opens up many insights into the meaning of the text. These insights are gained by viewing the text through different lenses, one of which is humor, and more specifically, sarcasm. Whether they are blatant or subtle, sarcastic remarks are found throughout the Bible in many different anecdotes and personalities. Although it is commonly believed that humor and sarcasm have no place in scripture, I believe they do have value as tools to understanding what is happening in the text.

In Defense Of Methodological Pluralism: Theology, Apologetics, And The Critical Study Of Mormonism, Brian D. Birch

Mormon Studies Review

No abstract provided.

Some Reflections On The Revelation Of John In Mormon Thought: Past, Present, And Future, Grant Underwood

Studies in the Bible and Antiquity

No abstract provided.

The State Of Mormon Folklore Studies, Tom Mould, Eric A. Eliason

Mormon Studies Review

No abstract provided.

Mormon Studies And Method: The Rigors Of The Academic Study Of Religion And The Maturity Of Mormon Studies, Stephen C. Taysom

Mormon Studies Review

No abstract provided.