Full Bibliography by Author

Elder Kacher teaches that our faith in Jesus Christ can unlock the powers of heaven and strengthen us as we confront life’s challenges.

Examine your choices by asking yourself the question, “Are my decisions firmly planted in the rich soil of the gospel of Jesus Christ?”

A polemical work against Mormonism, attempting to instruct and inform Christians on how to respond to various Mormon questions. After a brief account of the Book of Mormon narrative, the writer notes what he feels are certain internal anachronisms in the book, such as Jaredite barges, use of King James English and New Testament material before Christ, and the number of people slain in battle. He feels that the book’s origin can best be explained as a product of Joseph Smith’s environment.

The author, by quoting from Revelation 12, Ezekiel 4:6, and Daniel 12:4-9, shows that the Book of Mormon came forth twelve hundred and sixty years after the apostasy. He also remarks concerning the fulfillment of the prophesies in Isaiah 29:4, 11, Zechariah 10:10, and Jeremiah 22:6, and refers to archaeological discoveries in defense of the Book of Mormon.

Through the priesthood, we can be lifted. The priesthood brings light into our world.

A youth oriented challenge to read the Book of Mormon. Youth relate testimonial experiences they had while reading the Book of Mormon.

A youth oriented challenge to read the Book of Mormon. Youth relate testimonial experiences they had while reading the Book of Mormon.

We can expect trials and tribulation—they are an essential part of the great plan. Some we will experience because of our own mistakes—our sins—others merely as a part of living in mortality, and others because the Lord loves us and provides experiences that tend to our spiritual growth.

Our greatest performance is when we take time to give of ourselves in love, one for another, often away from the crowd.

“If any of you are burdened with sin and sorrow, transgression and guilt, then unload your wagon and fill it with obedience, faith, and hope, and a regular renewal of your covenants with God.”

Only after we are tried and tested can we be trusted with our inheritance as heirs to the kingdom of God, joint heirs of Jesus Christ.

Review of Keys to Successful Scripture Study (1989), by George A. Horton, Jr.

Review of The Power of the Word: Saving Doctrines from the Book of Mormon (1994), by Robert L. Millet

Our Father in Heaven desires us to be joyful and well, to nurture and care for the garden that is entrusted to each of us. He needs a healthy people and has given us the gifts and abilities to be so.

This article examines use of halucinogenic plants in the 19th century, drawing the conclusion that the visions experienced during Joseph Smith’s youth and the early days of the Church were the product of substance use. It retells narratives such as Joseph Smith Sr.’s visions, the exorcism of an evil spirit from Newel Knight, and the abundance of visions at the Kirtland Temple dedication with halucinogens as the catalyst.

Just as with Brigham Young, Leonardo da Vinci’s ultimate allegiance wasn’t to a single discipline but rather to the “triumph of truth.” No individual or perspective is the owner of truth; truth is as widespread and diverse as those who search for it.

This book is about finding God and strengthening faith. Though some stories are about joining the LDS church, this is not a book of conversion stories. This three-year effort began as a search for interesting stories about how BYU intertwined with people’s lives and how it affected their faith. The compilers were pleased to discover experiences that were much richer in thought and detail, and far more complex than the anticipated recitations of meaningful classroom interactions and the introduction of religious values in an intellectual environment. In this thoughtful, inspriring, and sometimes humorous book, you’ll read the stories of more than twenty people and their personal interactions with BYU. You’ll read the account of Patricia Holland, who as a young teenager was deeply touched by her first contact with the University. Rabbi David Rosen shares his poignant account of traveling to Salt Lake City to meet with Church leaders about the BYU Jerusalem Center. And you’ll read about Earl Kauffman, then a non-LDS athlete who visited BYU on a recruiting visit and immediately fell in love with the University and found God in his daily interaction with teammates, students, and faculty, and later joined the Church. These essays, each a significant part of the contributors’ life histories, also serve to enrich our lives, as well as our perspectives on Finding God at BYU. ISBN 9781577349297

Our Savior is the Prince of Peace, the Great Healer, the only One who can truly cleanse us from the sting of sin.

Elder Kearon teaches that survivors of abuse are not responsible for the abuse and can seek the Savior’s gift of healing.

As often as we sincerely seek and are worthy to receive, our Eternal Father communicates with us through revelation—messages that come to us in the reflective moments of prayer, through the words and enlightenment of the scriptures, from the teachings of the prophets, or in the peaceful melodies of heavenly music. His messages are often quiet, and we all know that we can miss them if we are not ready to receive.

As you set goals and make plans for your life, working to relieve the suffering and lift the burdens of others should be present in your endeavors.

This moment does not define the refugees, but our response will help define us.

An assertion that the traditional Mormon interpretation of the prophecy in Ezekiel 37 regarding the Book of Mormon is both naive and unsupportable in light of Near Eastern scholarship.

A brief testimony of the truthfulness and value of the Book of Mormon, written by a man who is part Scottish and part Blackfoot Indian.

Ernst Benz originally presented this paper at the Eranos conference held in Ascona, Switzerland, in 1969. (See the publisher’s Web site at www.daimon.ch for more information about these annual Eranos conferences and for listings of Eranos yearbooks.) Ernst Benz’s collected Eranos lectures are found in his book Urbild und Abbild: Der Mensch und die mythische Welt (Leiden: Brill, 1974). This essay is on pages 475–508. The astute reader will pick up some of Benz’s misconceptions about Latter-day Saint beliefs.

Contains nine lessons for learning German using the German translation of the Book of Mormon as the text. Each lesson contains different rules of grammar plus exercises.

Contains quotes from archaeological books and newspaper articles that deal with the bearded white god, Quetzalcoatl, who was born of a virgin and was associated with the cross. Christ visited in America and these beliefs are relics of this visit.

Either the Book of Mormon is true or a fraud, and many intelligent, honest people have found the former. Its claims are supported by the testimony of men who witnessed the plates, by biblical prophecy, by archaeological study, and by the witness of the spirit.

A defense of Joseph Smith in response to The Children of God, by Vardis Fisher. Joseph Smith made no mistake in translating the record that represents a people who dwelt upon the land of America 600 years B.C. who brought no records of the minor prophets who wrote between the time of Lehi’s departure and A.D. 70.

If we are constantly seeking to know the breadth and depth of His atoning love and how very personal it really is, our seeking will not be in vain.

The teachings of Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin

Faithfulness under persecution and the involvement of God in his children’s lives

Many Latter-day Saints can distinguish between the writings of prophets such as Ezra Taft Benson, David O. McKay, and Brigham Young, because each of these men had characteristics and themes unique to himself. The author reasons that if the writings of latter-day prophets reflect their authors’ personal characteristics, then records left by ancient prophets should also contain features that distinguish their authors as individuals. In this book, the traits that set each Book of Mormon author apart from the others are analyzed. The suggestion made by critics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the Book of Mormon was written by a single nineteenth-century author is refuted. ISBN 1-5700-8276-6

Roger Keller explores what it means to keep the commandments of God. He looks to the Book of Mormon and analyzes passages related to laws and commandments and concludes that there are significant differences in the ways words like law and command are used by various authors of the Book of Mormon. Keller suggests that all laws and commandments given by God to his people lead to one commandment: “Come unto Christ.”

Do we as Latter-day Saint Christians really need to know about other faiths? Do we not know all we need to know? Sometimes we create our own skewed version of other faiths. If we are to be a world church, it is helpful to understand and appreciate all the good that God has given to persons beyond the Latter-day Saint pale and to represent it accurately. President George Albert Smith said to persons of other faiths, “We have come here as your brethren … and to say to you: ’Keep all the good that you have, and let us bring to you more good, in order that you may be happier and in order that you may be prepared to enter into the presence of our Heavenly Father.’” This book attempts to show the good that God has placed among his children and upon which the Restoration may build to bring more good. It is done in the spirit of seeking to appreciate all the good that each religion brings. At the same time, this book seeks to show what makes each religious tradition unique, for it is our unique qualities that make each of us who we are. ISBN 978-0-8425-2817-7

This popular text, used throughout the Church for the study of world religions, has been revised and expanded. Two additional authors, several new chapters, a number of new illustrations, and much updated material add fresh perspectives to the former edition’s tried-and-true approach. The result portrays the vivid spectrum of truth as it extends across cultures and religious systems. The book presents a…

For three days, April 11-13, 2002, Brigham Young University hosted a unique conference titled “Salvation in Christ: Christian Perspectives.” Scholars, theologians, and interested laypersons came together to celebrate the redemptive act of our Lord Jesus Christ and to explain their understandings of salvation in Christ from the viewpoints of their respective Christian denominational backgrounds. A broad spectrum of Christian approaches were represented, as was the range of issues needing to be addressed with the monumental topic of “Salvation in Christ” as the theme for the gathering. The purpose of the conference was for participants to speak, listen, and learn from one another--to become better acquainted with various faith traditions, particularly different perspectives on the major doctrines associated with Christian salvation. ISBN 0-8425-2606-4

This first of two volumes of essays honoring Hugh Nibley includes scholarly papers based on what the contributors have learned from Dr. Nibley. Nearly every major subject that he has encompassed in his vast learning and scholarly production is represented here by at least one article. Topics include the influence of Nibley, Copts and the Bible, the Seventy in scripture, the great apostasy, the book of Daniel in early Mormon thought, an early Christian initiation ritual, John’s Apocalypse, ancient Jewish seafaring, Native American rites of passage, Sinai as sanctuary and mountain of God, the Qurʾan and creation ex nihilo, and the sacred handclasp and embrace.
A treatment of two out of thirteen of the Egyptian Letters to the Dead: the Cairo Bowl and the Berlin Bowl.

Speaks about the validity of the Bible and argues that God has spoken to the ancient western world as well as set forth in the Book of Mormon. Adduces archaeological evidence and arguments of reason to defend the Book of Mormon.

Defends David Whitmer’s testimony of the Book of Mormon, which was misquoted in a local newspaper. Both the misquotation and Whitmer’s true testimony are included. Whitmer affirms his belief in the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon teaches the same beliefs and doctrines as taught in the Bible and holds the same promises of salvation.

A defense of the Book of Mormon against critics. The author finds that the book is in accord with Old Testament prophecies, it is an additional witness for Jesus Christ, and its claims are sustained by scientific discoveries.

A record of three long debates that took place in Kirtland, Ohio, between the two authors. Items discussed include the question concerning the divine origin of the Book of Mormon and the role or non-role of the Spaulding manuscript in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

Uses the Book of Mormon to refute claims made by LDS authorities concerning polygamy and claims that the LDS practiced polygamy in wickedness. Argues against a statement made by Brigham Young that the Nephites were too wicked to practice polygamy and argues that “raising up seed unto the Lord” is not a valid reason for practicing polygamy.

A report of a committee who compared the manuscript of the Book of Mormon (held by David Whitmer) with the Palmyra and Plano editions. Some differences and changes are noted.

A report of two brothers’ visit to Palmyra and Manchester, New York. After conducting interviews with several aged residents regarding the Joseph Smith family and the Book of Mormon, new information regarding the Smiths and the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon is produced.

If perhaps I am certain of nothing else, I am indeed certain of one thing: I cannot resist holy books. Understand me correctly, however. I regard all of them highly-the fiery bass voices of the Qur’an; Gautama’s all-tolerating claptrap of wisdom; the large compendium of Jewish cultural history called the Old Testament-but I refuse steadfastly to link the word “truth’’ with any of them. Whoever imagines that he possesses the truth has lost it in that very same instant. Truth has no meaning for us. Nothing would be more unfortunate than some kind of 5 percent clause of the Spirit, and nothing more ridiculous than when one prophet calls out another as a fanatic. Not one Church, but rather fundamentally Churches; not one Sacred Scripture, but rather numerous Sacred Scriptures. Hence, if you wish, a resigned-but in my experience quite therapeutic-agnosticism as foundation, yet at the same time a tireless hunt for one’s own mistakes and one’s own lack of knowledge-and, besides that, working diligently.

Relates the mounds found in the United States to war sites in the Book of Mormon. Also discusses anthropological aspects of the Book of Mormon.

A series, comprising a defense of the Book of Mormon from an anthropological and archaeological point of view. Quotes extensively from the Book of Mormon as well as from contemporary scholarship.

Gives ethnic descriptions of Book of Mormon peoples and discusses them as inventors, explorers, and warriors. Cites archaeological findings that relate to the Book of Mormon.

There is a difference in just attending the temple and having a rich spiritual experience.