Mormon Studies Commons^™

Review: A Word In Season: Isaiah’S Reception In The Book Of Mormon By Joseph M. Spencer, Joshua M. Sears

BYU Studies

This groundbreaking study by Joseph Spencer, who teaches in Religious Education at Brigham Young University, invites both Latter-day Saints and those outside our faith to consider what the Book of Mormon has to say about the relevancy of prophecy and scripture in our modern world.

Front Matter

BYU Studies

No abstract provided.

Parental Influence On Adolescent Perfectionism, Jenet Erickson, Olivia Forsberg, Mckenna Schmidt

BYU Studies

I (primary author) will never forget a poignant moment in the mother’s lounge at church when our first child was about nine months old. Two other mothers with younger babies were in the lounge at the same time, and we talked as our babies nursed, then played. As I watched the two younger children crawl around, I became acutely aware that our daughter, who had not yet started to crawl, was clearly behind these other children. A panicky feeling overtook me as I wrestled with what it meant to me that these children appeared to be ahead of mine. I …

Perfectionism’S Influence On Adolescent Mental Health, Mark D. Ogletree

BYU Studies

Years ago, I was sitting in my counseling practice with a sixteen-year- old young man. He was a great teenager with many positive qualities. However, on this particular summer day, he came in a somber mood. I asked him what was bothering him. He began to share some of his problems with me. In my opinion, none were out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, I could see his lips begin to quiver, and then he broke down in tears. When he could compose himself, he uttered, “I know that God hates me.” And with that declaration, I knew that we had …

Healing From Toxic Perfectionism, Debra Theobald Mcclendon

BYU Studies

Perfect is the enemy of good.” This phrase is derived from a French proverb, yet it is most often attributed to the famous French writer Voltaire. It observes that those striving for perfection are their own worst enemies.1 Indeed, perfectionism is overly demanding of those who struggle with it. With its irrational and impossible demands, perfectionism can cause anxiety, create high levels of distress that inhibit learning and performance, damage relationships, and diminish the quality of life for otherwise highly competent and dedicated individuals. Perfectionism can be the main problem that leads someone to seek therapeutic services from a mental …

Love Is A Law, Not A Reward, Adam S. Miller

BYU Studies

1. Love is the substance of God’s law. As Paul puts it: “If there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself ” (Rom. 13:9). Or, as Jesus summarizes the law: “On these two commandments”—love of God and love of neighbor—“hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:40). What’s more, this love can’t be treated as a special reward. “Ye have heard that it hath been said,” Jesus acknowledges, “thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies” (Matt. 5:43–44). …

Conclusion Latter-Day Saints And Perfectionism, W. Justin Dyer

BYU Studies

This special issue on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and toxic perfectionism seems long overdue. Although there has been some research in the past, many misleading narratives about Latter-day Saints and perfectionism—narratives promoted by professionals and nonprofessionals alike—were pulled into that research vacuum. Prior to the research presented in this issue, there were no studies that revealed how Latter-day Saints compare in perfectionism to those of other religions and those of no religion, and there was no longitudinal research that provided evidence for the sources and consequences of perfectionism over time for Latter-day Saints. Without …

Appendix

BYU Studies

All unique analyses in the articles “Perfectionism Across Adolescence,” “Parental Influence on Adolescent Perfectionism,” “Perfectionism’s Influence on Adolescent Mental Health,” and “Religion and Perfectionism” were conducted by Justin Dyer. Details of the data collection and analysis are contained in this appendix. All code and detailed outputs are available from Justin Dyer upon request.

The Literary Landscape For Twentieth-Century Spanish-Speaking Lds Poets, Gabriel González Núñez

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Spanish is the second-most spoken language among Latter-day Saints, but relatively little is known about Mormon literature in this language, either its current status or its history. This absence is evident in the key surveys on Mormon literature that have been carried out. For example, when Eugene England considered the prospects of Mormon literature in his landmark essay on its history and future, he looked ahead at a mostly US-centric and fully English-language literary horizon.¹ This makes sense in the context in which he was writing. In the English language, and in the United States in particular, Mormon literature …

“Words Of Plainness” Jacob’S Apology, His Addendum, And The Competing Forms Of Nephite Worship, Dan Belnap, Rob Hernandez

Faculty Publications

Jacob’s powerful essay in Jacob chapters 4–6 ends with this statement: “I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen” (Jacob  6:13). The essay represents Jacob’s teachings as a Nephite priest concerning the centrality of Christ in the religious and doctrinal framework of his Nephite congregation. It fits within the greater structure of the book of Jacob, which appears to be governed by Nephi1’s instructions concerning what should be included on the small plates. Recorded by Jacob in Jacob 1, the instruction suggests …

"I Know The Dream Mine Is True": Mormons, Mining, And The Making Of "Bad Religion" In Early Twentieth-Century Utah, Christine V. Shell

American Studies ETDs

In 1894, folksy Mormon farmer-turned-prophet John H. Koyle, Jr, dreamed that an angel from the Book of Mormon showed him where and how to mine for golden ore and Book of Mormon treasures. Shortly afterwards, Koyle and a handful of friends established the “Dream Mine” at the revealed location, and as word spread additional workers joined the cause—for this was a mine destined to save the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members from financial and spiritual ruin during the long-foretold apocalyptic “Last Days.”

Koyle’s followers took delight and solace from their participation in the Dream Mine’s …

Full Issue

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

No abstract provided.

Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Vol. 2 Now Available

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

Charlesworth's second and final volume of The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha has just been released by Doubleday. This long-awaited collection of important early Christian and Jewish writings is the result of more than a decade of work by dozens of scholars, including F.A.R.M.S. correspondent Stephen E. Robinson. Each volume is 1000 pages long, and volume 2 contains a valuable index for both volumes. Act now if you want these books--a price increase has already been announced by Doubleday, effective January 1, 1986.

More About Mulek

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

Another possible clue of the existence and escape of Mulek (see Insights, March 1984, and Update, February 1984), son of Zedekiah, has been noticed by Benjamin Urrutia. 2 Kings 25:1-10 reports that Nebuchadnezzar and "all his host" scattered "all the men" and "all [the king's] army" and burnt "all the houses of Jerusalem" and with "all the army" destroyed the walls. Ben points out that in the midst of all this, 25:7 omits the word "all" when it reports that "sons" of Zedekiah were killed, refuting, perhaps, the idea that all …

Stephen Ricks, Les Campbell, Teri Bergstrom Take New Positions; John Sorenson Recovering

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

This month, Stephen D. Ricks joined John W. Welch and John L. Sorenson as members of the FARMS Board of Directors. Stephen has been an active, contributing FARMS researcher for several years. His dissertation, "A Lexicon of Inscriptional Qatabanian" (an ancient South Arabian dialect), earned him his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982. At Brigham Young University, he teaches Hebrew, Aramaic, Near Eastern mythologies, and a class on texts and temples. He brings great enthusiasm, dedication, and scholarship to this position with FARMS, and is greatly appreciated.

Handheld Weapons In The Book Of Mormon

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

The first in a substantial series of studies on warfare in the Book of Mormon has been completed this month. This new Preliminary Report by Arabist William Hamblin, Ph.D. (Michigan), focuses on handheld weapons in the Book of Mormon, in pretechnical military practices of the Near East, and in Mesoamerican archaeology. Dr. Hamblin's work on this subject was funded by a research grant from F.A.R.M.S. He is currently working for the United States Department of Defense.

The B. H. Roberts Story

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

The Lord obviously did not intend the Book of Mormon to be an open-and-shut case intellectually, either pro or con. No miracle and no matter of faith is.

Benjamin's Speech As An Early Jewish Festival

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

Twelve researchers have collaborated over the past year to examine King Benjamin's Speech in light of Jewish festivals. Their results are now available in a lengthy report, compiled by John W. Welch.

Full Issue

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

No abstract provided.

Special Thanks To Kirk Magleby And Ken Porter

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

Two hard-working FARMS officers have stepped down this month. Ken Porter, our Vice President in charge of Development, has recently accepted a mission call to serve with his wife, Ann, in England. Ann has also been working for FARMS as a secretary. We wish them great success!

Open Houses In Provo

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

Guests in Provo for CES meetings and Education Week are invited to open houses at the FARMS office in Provo on August 15 and 22 (both Thursdays) between 7 and 10 p.m. You will be able to see screenings of the three FARMS videos, visit with authors, peruse our stock of nearly 300 publications, and find out how the Foundation operates. The office is located upstairs in Amanda Knight Hall, on the corner of 800 North and University Avenue. Call us at (801) 378-3295 if you have any questions.

Thieves And Robbers

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

Although there isn't much difference between a thief and a robber in most minds, there was a considerable difference between the two under ancient Near Eastern law. A thief (ganab) was usually a local person who stole from his neighbor. He was dealt with judicially. He was tried and punished civilly, most often by a court composed of his fellow townspeople. A robber, on the other hand, was an outsider, a brigand or highwayman. He was dealt with militarily. These outlaws could be executed summarily.

How Was The Book Of Mormon Used By The Early Saints?

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

When the Book of Mormon was first translated and published, it was brand new to the entire world. Its doctrines, messages, personalities, and details were all in need of rediscovery. Even the Prophet Joseph Smith, the instrument through which God transmitted this record, does not appear to have fully assimilated all its complexities and nuances, for he rarely quoted from the Book of Mormon (as one might expect had he written the book).

Joseph Smith And The Book Of Mormon

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

Increasingly, questions are being asked about how the Book of Mormon came to be. Few of these questions are new, for each generation must confront the challenging presence of the Book of Mormon for itself, the same as have the generations before us. In this light, it may be of interest for us to reread the five-part series from the 1959 Improvement Era written by Hugh Nibley, entitled "Mixed Voices." For the first time, these five articles are now available as a set.

"Salamanders" And "Short-Hand Egyptian"

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

The 1830 letter of Martin Harris to W. W. Phelps, published in the Church News in April, has already attracted national attention. In this letter, Harris describes an early spiritual appearance to Joseph Smith, stating that "the spirit transfigured himself from a white salamander in the bottom of the hole."

Farms Finishes Three Major Projects In June

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

June has been a productive month. Thanks to hundreds of volunteer hours, three significant projects have recently been completed. We think you will be interested in each of them.

Full Issue

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

No abstract provided.

Donors

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

In our fiscal year just ended, F.A.R.M.S. received voluntary donations from 1330 individuals. A special thanks goes to the following who gave between $500 and $5,000 this year. Your support makes the work of the Foundation possible!

Office Staff News

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

In July, Janet Twigg moved to Ohio. We will miss her loyal and valuable service as our Office Manager.

Gadianton Robbers As Guerrilla Warriors

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

Guerrilla warfare has become depressingly familiar to us from places like China, Nicaragua, Angola, Cuba, Korea, the Spanish Sahara, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. Although guerrilla tactics have received much attention and achieved notable success in the so-called "Cold War," they are not really new. On the contrary, they can be identified in ancient times-and the Book of Mormon provides a particularly clear example of them.