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Articles 241 - 270 of 326
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The Book Of Mormon Versus The Consensus Of Scholars: Surprises From The Disputed Longer Ending Of Mark, Part 2, Jeff Lindsay
The Book Of Mormon Versus The Consensus Of Scholars: Surprises From The Disputed Longer Ending Of Mark, Part 2, Jeff Lindsay
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Following the account of the ministry of Christ among the Nephites as recorded in the Book of Mormon, Christ gave a charge to His New World disciples (Mormon 9:22–25). These words are nearly like the commission of Christ to His apostles at the end of the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:9–20). According to the general consensus of modern Bible scholars, Christ did not speak those words; they are a later addition. If so, this is a problem for the Book of Mormon. Fortunately, recent modern scholarship offers compelling reasons for overturning the old consensus against the longer ending of Mark. …
Full Issue
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Should We Apologize For Apologetics?, Steven T. Densley Jr.
Should We Apologize For Apologetics?, Steven T. Densley Jr.
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
An analysis of the history, scope, and effectiveness of Mormon apologetics is long overdue. Unfortunately, Perspectives on Mormon T heology: Apologetics falls short of providing an in-depth analysis of the f ield and instead provides a very limited history, very little discussion of the scope of Mormon apologetics, and little discussion of the impact of Mormon apologists on Mormon thought. Furthermore, no attempt is made to discuss how apologetics has affected the arguments of critics of Mormonism. While a few articles do approach apologetics in a positive way, the work is largely critical of the activity of defending the Church …
Marjorie Newton On “The Mormons In Australia” — A Retrospective Review, Louis Midgley
Marjorie Newton On “The Mormons In Australia” — A Retrospective Review, Louis Midgley
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
This is a survey of Marjorie Newton’s account of Latter-day Saints in Australia which identifies the roots of her agenda — that is, what she was striving to accomplish in her first book in 1991 (and the other related essays) which she published before turning her attention to a criticism of the faith of Māori Latter-day Saints, first in 1998 and then in 2014. Midgley locates in her early publications on the Saints in Australia early signs of her controlling cultural Mormon agenda and hence how and why she insists that there has been a trampling of the Māori culture …
Heralding A New Age Of Book Of Mormon Scholarship, Steven T. Densley Jr.
Heralding A New Age Of Book Of Mormon Scholarship, Steven T. Densley Jr.
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Book of Mormon Central has produced a fantastic resource for students and teachers of the Book of Mormon. Knowing Why updates prior discoveries and provides new and interesting insights based upon solid scholarship.
The Divine Council In The Hebrew Bible And The Book Of Mormon, Stephen O. Smoot
The Divine Council In The Hebrew Bible And The Book Of Mormon, Stephen O. Smoot
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
The Book of Mormon purports to be a record that originates from the ancient Near East. The authors of the book claim an Israelite heritage, and throughout the pages of the text can be seen echoes of Israelite religious practice and ideology. An example of such can be seen in how the Book of Mormon depicts God’s divine council, a concept unmistakably found in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). Recognizing the divine council in both the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Mormon may help us appreciate a more nuanced understanding of such theological terms as “monotheism” as …
Joseph Smith: Monogamist Or Polygamist?, Brian C. Hales
Joseph Smith: Monogamist Or Polygamist?, Brian C. Hales
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
In the past decades much of the debate regarding Joseph Smith and plural marriage has focused on his motivation — whether libido or divine inspiration drove the process. Throughout these debates, a small group of observers and participants have maintained that Joseph did not practice polygamy at any time or that his polygamous sealings were nonsexual spiritual marriages. Rather than simply provide supportive evidence for Joseph Smith’s active involvement with plural marriage, this article examines the primary arguments advanced by monogamist proponents to show that important weaknesses exist in each line of reasoning.
Gazelem The Jaredite, Elliott Jolley
Gazelem The Jaredite, Elliott Jolley
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Alma refers to Gazelem in his instructions to his son Helaman in Alma 37:23. This article proposes and explores the concept of identifying Gazelem as a Jaredite seer. Other theories of the identity of Gazelem are addressed in this article but not explored in depth. It discusses the full context of Alma’s words, the Jaredite secret combinations and their oaths, Gazelem’s seer stone, and the Nephite interpreters. Additionally, it proposes a possible timeline that Gazelem lived among the Jaredites. It also discusses the usage of “Gazelam” as a substitute name for Joseph Smith in early editions of the Doctrine and …
Meeting Zoram, Collin Charles Russell
Meeting Zoram, Collin Charles Russell
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Zoram, the servant of Laban, is a character from the Book of Mormon who is only mentioned a few times and on whom little information is given. This article analyzes what information is given in the Book of Mormon and contextualizes its historical background, all coupled with the observations of Latter-day Saint Church leaders and scholars. Insight is provided concerning Zoram’s Hebraic descent in the tribe of Manasseh and his working duties under Laban’s command, along with how all this affected his role in assisting Lehi’s family. The meaning of his name in Hebrew and possible correlations to the meaning …
Jacob’S Protector, Matthew L. Bowen
Jacob’S Protector, Matthew L. Bowen
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
The name Jacob (yaʿăqōb) means “may he [i.e., God] protect,” or “he has protected.” As a hypocoristic masculine volitive verbal form,1 it is a kind of blessing upon, or prayer on behalf of the one so named that he will receive divine protection and safety (cf. Deuteronomy 33:28). Textual evidence from Nephi’s writings suggests that his brother Jacob’s protection was a primary concern of their parents, Lehi and Sariah. Lehi saw Nephi as the specific means of divine protection for Jacob, his “first born in the wilderness.” Moreover, the term “protector” is used twice in LDS scripture, in both instances …
Scriptures With Pictures: Methodology, Unexamined Assumptions, And The Study Of The Book Of Abraham, Mark J. Johnson
Scriptures With Pictures: Methodology, Unexamined Assumptions, And The Study Of The Book Of Abraham, Mark J. Johnson
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Research on the origins and nature of the Book of Abraham and the accompanying facsimiles has long been hampered by faulty methodology. And while the last few years have seen a significant reexamination of the assumptions that represent the underpinning of our understandings of the Book of Abraham, some unexamined assumptions persist. This study addresses seven aspects of the Book of Abraham, which include a discussion of the sources, the process, the results, the content, the witnesses, and the historical background. For each of these aspects, this study identifies lingering assumptions and shows how a proper methodology can validate or …
Addressing Prickly Issues, Rick Anderson
Addressing Prickly Issues, Rick Anderson
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
This collection of essays conveniently assembles faithful and rigorous treatments of difficult questions related to LDS history and doctrine. While two or three of the essays are sufficiently flawed to give cause for concern and while some of its arguments have been expressed differently in earlier publications, overall this book can be confidently recommended to interested and doctrinally mature Latter-day Saints.
“Arise From The Dust”: Insights From Dust-Related Themes In The Book Of Mormon Part 1: Tracks From The Book Of Moses, Jeff Lindsay
“Arise From The Dust”: Insights From Dust-Related Themes In The Book Of Mormon Part 1: Tracks From The Book Of Moses, Jeff Lindsay
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
In light of Noel Reynolds’ hypothesis that some material in the Book of Moses may have been present on the brass plates that Nephi used, one may wonder if Nephi or other authors might also have drawn upon the use of chains in the Book of Moses, particularly Satan’s “great chain [that] veiled … the earth with darkness” (Moses 7:26) and the “chains of darkness” (Moses 7:57). Though the phrase “chains of darkness” is not used in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 1:23, quoting Lehi, combines chains and obscurity, where obscurity can have the meaning of darkness. In fact, …
“See That Ye Are Not Lifted Up”: The Name Zoram And Its Paronomastic Pejoration, Matthew L. Bowen
“See That Ye Are Not Lifted Up”: The Name Zoram And Its Paronomastic Pejoration, Matthew L. Bowen
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
The most likely etymology for the name Zoram is a third person singular perfect qal or pôʿal form of the Semitic/Hebrew verb *zrm, with the meaning, “He [God] has [is] poured forth in floods.” However, the name could also have been heard and interpreted as a theophoric –rām name, of which there are many in the biblical Hebrew onomasticon (Ram, Abram, Abiram, Joram/Jehoram, Malchiram, etc., cf. Hiram [Hyrum]/Huram). So analyzed, Zoram would connote something like “the one who is high,” “the one who is exalted” or even “the person of the Exalted One [or high place].” This has important implications …
The Changing Forms Of The Latter-Day Saint Sacrament, Ugo A. Perego
The Changing Forms Of The Latter-Day Saint Sacrament, Ugo A. Perego
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Partaking of bread and water each Sunday is a fundamental part of the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — a solemn moment in which the mortal Savior’s mission and ministry are remembered and pondered by those who partake individually and as a congregation. This paper explores instructions provided by the Savior himself as found in the Mormon canon of scriptures, together with a review of how this practice has changed over time as part of the LDS Church liturgy. Moreover, the meaning associated with this sacred ordinance is analyzed by way of the Savior’s teachings …
To “See And Hear”, Kevin L. Tolley
To “See And Hear”, Kevin L. Tolley
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
The world of the Nephite nation was born out of the world of seventh century bc Jerusalem. The traditions and tragedies of the nation of Judah set the stage for what would happen over the next ten centuries of Book of Mormon history. In his opening statements, Nephi tells of an explosion of divinely commissioned ministers preaching in the holy city. He declares that Jerusalem was a place of “many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent” (1 Nephi 1:4).1 Nephi alludes to the prophetic service of Jeremiah (c. bc 626-587), Zephaniah (c. bc 640‑609), Obadiah (c. bc …
Telling The Story Of The Coming Forth Of The Book Of Mormon, Stephen O. Smoot
Telling The Story Of The Coming Forth Of The Book Of Mormon, Stephen O. Smoot
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
The book From Darkness unto Light: Joseph Smith’s Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon by Michael Hubbard MacKay and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat is an outstanding resource for anyone interested in early Latter-day Saint history and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. It provides a compelling narrative about the recovery, translation, and publication of the Book of Mormon that utilizes the most cutting-edge historical scholarship available today.
Mormonism At Oxford And What It Signifies, Stephen O. Smoot
Mormonism At Oxford And What It Signifies, Stephen O. Smoot
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
The Oxford Handbook of Mormonism is a welcomed addition to the current scholarly discussion surrounding the history, theology, and culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It should be read and studied by all interested students in Mormonism and signals that the scriptures, theology, and history of the Latter-day Saints are all increasingly being taken seriously in mainstream academia.
Many Witnesses To A Marvelous Work, Daniel Peterson
Many Witnesses To A Marvelous Work, Daniel Peterson
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
At the end of October each year, speakers from the Church Educational System, as well as other gospel scholars, gather at Brigham Young University to make presentations at the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium. The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder is a compilation of the addresses given at the forty-fourth symposium, in 2015. This volume does not so much delve into the doctrine of the Book of Mormon as it studies the history behind its coming into the world. Just as the doctrine itself is inspirational, the story behind the coming forth of …
Full Issue
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Image Is Everything: Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain, Kevin Christensen
Image Is Everything: Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain, Kevin Christensen
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Soon after the appearance of my Interpreter review of Jeremy Runnells’ Letter to a CES Director, he promised to provide his personal response. Although this response has not yet appeared, he did post an essay called “The Sky is Falling” by his friend Johnny Stephenson. After I read the essay closely in May, I realized that it provides, however unintentionally, a valuable set of discussion points with illustrative examples. My response begins with some preliminaries, surveys essential background issues concerning facts, ideology, and cognitive dissonance, and then addresses his historical arguments regarding the First Vision and priesthood restoration accounts.
Zarahemla Revisited: Neville’S Newest Novel, Matthew Roper, Paul Fields, Larry Bassist
Zarahemla Revisited: Neville’S Newest Novel, Matthew Roper, Paul Fields, Larry Bassist
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
This article is the third in a series of three articles responding to the recent assertion by Jonathan Neville that Benjamin Winchester was the anonymous author of three unsigned editorials published in Nauvoo in 1842 in the Times and Seasons. The topic of the unsigned editorials was the possible relationship of archeological discoveries in Central America to places described in the Book of Mormon narrative. The first article shows that, contrary to Neville’s claims, Winchester was not a proponent of a Mesoamerican setting for the Book of Mormon, but rather a hemispheric one. Since this was a view commonly held …
Nephi’S Good Inclusio, Matthew L. Bowen
Nephi’S Good Inclusio, Matthew L. Bowen
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
As John Gee noted two decades ago, Nephi is best explained as a form of the Egyptian word nfr, which by Lehi’s time was pronounced neh-fee, nay-fee, or nou-fee. Since this word means “good,” “goodly,” “fine,” or “fair,” I subsequently posited several possible examples of wordplay on the name Nephi in the Book of Mormon, including Nephi’s own autobiographical introduction (1 Nephi 1:1: “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents … having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God”). It should be further pointed out, however, that Nephi also concludes his personal writings on …
The Yoke Of Christ: A Light Burden Heavy With Meaning, Jeff Lindsay
The Yoke Of Christ: A Light Burden Heavy With Meaning, Jeff Lindsay
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Christ’s famous call to take his yoke upon us in Matthew 11 may merit more analysis than it has commonly received. Taking up the yoke may have connections to other things that are taken upon us as well, including the name of Christ, temple covenants, priestly robes, and sacred anointing. These all reflect a relationship of obedience and service to the Master, who set the example by taking the heaviest yoke of all upon him, including the yoke-like beam of the cross that he carried to Golgotha and the full weight of human sin and misery as he suffered for …
“They Were Moved With Compassion” (Alma 27:4; 53:13): Toponymic Wordplay On Zarahemla And Jershon, Matthew L. Bowen
“They Were Moved With Compassion” (Alma 27:4; 53:13): Toponymic Wordplay On Zarahemla And Jershon, Matthew L. Bowen
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
As in Hebrew biblical narrative, wordplay on (or play on the meaning of) toponyms, or “place names,” is a discernable feature of Book of Mormon narrative. The text repeatedly juxtaposes the toponym Jershon (“place of inheritance” or “place of possession”) with terms inherit, inheritance, possess, possession, etc. Similarly, the Mulekite personal name Zarahemla (“seed of compassion,” “seed of pity”), which becomes the paramount Nephite toponym as their national capital after the time of Mosiah I, is juxtaposed with the term compassion. Both wordplays occur and recur at crucial points in Nephite/Lamanite history. Moreover, both occur in connection with the migration …
“My People Are Willing”: The Mention Of Aminadab In The Narrative Context Of Helaman 5-6, Matthew L. Bowen
“My People Are Willing”: The Mention Of Aminadab In The Narrative Context Of Helaman 5-6, Matthew L. Bowen
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Aminadab, a Nephite by birth who later dissented to the Lamanites, played a crucial role in the mass conversion of three hundred Lamanites (and eventually many others). At the end of the pericope in which these events are recorded, Mormon states: “And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words” (Helaman 6:36), whereas he “began to withdraw” his Spirit from the Nephites “because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts” (Helaman 6:35). The name Aminadab is a Semitic/Hebrew name meaning …
Conversations With Mormon Historians, Craig L. Foster
Conversations With Mormon Historians, Craig L. Foster
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Conversations with Mormon Historians is a compilation of interviews with sixteen Latter-day Saint scholars. The book reveals why they went into their chosen professions, their rise to prominence as historians, and their thoughts regarding important topics such as the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Idle And Slothful Strange Stories”: Book Of Mormon Origins And The Historical Record, Neal Rappleye
“Idle And Slothful Strange Stories”: Book Of Mormon Origins And The Historical Record, Neal Rappleye
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
From the very beginning, Joseph’s story about the origins of the Book of Mormon seemed wild and unbelievable. Today, however, Joseph’s account enjoys a high degree of corroboration from (1) eyewitness accounts confirming Joseph’s possession of actual metal plates and other artifacts, with some even corroborating the involvement of an angel in providing access to the record; (2) eyewitness reports on the process of producing the text; and (3) evidence from the original manuscript. This evidence is reviewed here, and the implications it has for the Book of Mormon’s origin are considered.
A Brighter Future For Mormon Theology: Adam S. Miller’S Future Mormon, Jeff Lindsay
A Brighter Future For Mormon Theology: Adam S. Miller’S Future Mormon, Jeff Lindsay
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Adam S. Miller’s Future Mormon, his collection of “Essays in Mormon Theology,” is one of the most intriguing reads I’ve encountered in LDS studies. It is a book intended to make students of Mormonism, especially those within the Church, challenge lazy assumptions in our theological thinking and rethink our approach to help us build a stronger faith. Some of Miller’s work here will be readily grasped and appreciated by LDS students, while other parts may be more radical or opaque. From my perspective, the gems should make the book a valued addition to any LDS library, in spite of my …
Reading A Pentecostal Reads The Book Of Mormon, Stephen O. Smoot
Reading A Pentecostal Reads The Book Of Mormon, Stephen O. Smoot
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
In recent years the Book of Mormon has enjoyed increased attention from the scholarly world.1 This is entirely welcomed by the Latter-day Saints, especially when such attention comes from a place of fairness and open-mindedness. A praiseworthy example of how non-Mormon academics can fruitfully engage the Book of Mormon is John Cristopher Thomas’s new volume A Pentecostal Reads the Book of Mormon: A Literary and Theological Introduction.2 Thomas is well-equipped to approach the Book of Mormon on a literary and theological angle. He is, after all, an erudite biblical scholar whose work on New Testament text and theology has appeared …