Arts and Humanities Commons^™

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

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

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

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

No abstract provided.

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

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, 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, 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, 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

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

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

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

No abstract provided.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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, 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

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

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.