The Lectures on Faith are among the oldest of LDS writings. They formed the basis for doctrinal studies in the School for the Elders during the winter of 1834–35 and ever since have been highly valued in the Church. They constitute a substantial historical and doctrinal heritage from early Restoration years. Bringing together in one volume the background, the history, the text, and an informed and stimulating commentary, this book makes a major contribution to an understanding of the subject and therefore to the reader’s efforts to live the great principle of faith in Jesus Christ. ISBN 0-8849-4725-4

In 1989 there were two Sperry Symposiums held. The first was in February on the Doctrine and Covenants, which was published later that year as Doctrines for Exaltation. The second was in October on the Old Testament, which was published in 1990 as A Witness of Jesus Christ.

Contents:

Preface

Isaiah: Disciple and Witness of Christ / L. LaMar Adams

The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ / Edward J. Brandt

The Waters of Destruction and the Vine of Redemption / Allen J. Christenson

The Abrahamic Test / Larry E. Dahl

A Major Change in Israel: Effects of the Babylonian Captivity / Dean Garrett

The \"Hidden Messiah\" / Richard Neitzel Holzapfel

Job\'s Relevancy in the Twenty-First Century / Clark V. Johnson

The Old Testament, a Witness for Jesus Christ / Daniel H. Ludlow

Beyond the Biblical Account: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, and Moses in Latter-day Revelation / Robert J. Matthews

Isaiah 53: The Richest Prophecy on Christ\'s Atonement in the Old Testament / Keith H. Meservy

The House of Israel: From Everlasting to Everlasting / Robert L. Millet

The Twelve Prophets Testify of Christ / Monte S. Nyman

The Marriage of Hosea and Gomer: A Symbolic Testament of Messianic Love and Mercy / Brent L. Top

The Two Davids / Rodney Turner

Redeeming the Dead as Taught in the Old Testament / Bruce A. Van Orden

The Abrahamic Covenant / S. Michael Wilcox

The Waters Which Make Glad the City of God: The Water Motif of Ezekiel 47:1-12 / Fred E. Woods

The Fourth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU The remarks of this volume are centered on the small plates of Nephi—Jacob through the Words of Mormon. The greatness of Lehi’s son Jacob is brought out, with special reference to his remarkable grasp of the doctrine of the Atonement, his powerful preaching about Christ, and his affirmations as to the central role of Christ in all gospel dispensations. Enos, Amaleki, and the anti-Christ Sherem are other topics discussed. Clarification is given on the structure of the Book of Mormon in terms of the large and the small plates of Nephi, the plates of Mormon (the abridgment), and the Words of Mormon. Latter-day Saint scholars who have experience the spiritual power of the Book of Mormon share here their insights on specific themes. ISBN 0-8849-4734-3

Regarded by many as a modern miracle, the United States Constitution is one of the most impressive and important documents in human history. Yet clearly the continued vitality of the Constitution and its principles is not a given. Modern trends undermine the survival of the Constitution and its institutions. This book serves to remind us that it is not enough to merely enshrine the Constitution as an interesting historical relic; rather, the prophets urge us to keep it alive by studying and understanding its principles, being responsible in our civic duties, and being righteous citizens of our communities. ISBN 0-8849-4783-1

The Fifth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU King Benjamin’s monumental address on service and the Savior; the powerful testimony and the martyrdom of the prophet Abinadi; the moving conversion stories of both Alma the Elder and Alma the Younger; the deliverance of Nephites from Lamanite bondage—this is the historically and doctrinally rich material of which this volume’s papers draw their themes. Other questions and issues are explored: What specific, vital lessons about following living prophets, making and keeping covenants, and developing Christlike qualities can parents draw from the book of Mosiah to teach to their children, and how can they effectively teach them those lessons? What political and social insights, as well as warnings, are implied by the similarities between the Nephite system of judges and the constitutional system of the United States? Other topics include an in-depth look at the priesthood calling and practices, the process of spiritual rebirth, and lessons on bondage. ISBN 0-8849-4816-1

Volume 2 in the Occasional Papers Series While many books have been written about the life of Christopher Columbus and his New World discoveries, this one has a different thrust—that Columbus was not just a skilled, courageous sailor but was also a chosen instrument in the hands of God. This book profiles the man from Genoa who apparently yearned from childhood for the seafaring life and who early began to acquire the nautical knowledge and experience that would make him the most widely traveled seaman of his day and would help him rise to the top ranks in that career. ISBN 0-8849-4842-0

After the Latter-day Saints were driven from Missouri they were instructed by the Prophet Joseph Smith to prepare affidavits describing the property losses they had sustained and the abuses and atrocities they had suffered at the hands of lawless men there. Nearly seven hundred men and women accepted the Prophet’s charge and wrote almost eight hundred documents. This book is a complete collection of all known petitions, as contained in both the Historical Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City and the National Archives in Washington DC. ISBN 0-8849-4850-1

The Sixth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU Nineteen papers on a variety of topics related to the largest book in the Book of Mormon, Alma, make up this volume. These topics include the relevance of the book of Alma to our modern situation, classic discourses of Alma the Younger, the doctrinal and spiritual understanding afforded by Alma’s counsel to his son Corianton, and an enlightening look at the anti-Christ Korihor. The missionary experiences of the sons of Mosiah and Captain Moroni are also discussed. The conclusions drawn in these papers reflect the authors’ testimony of what Alma himself knew to be true: that God’s word has—and always will have—“a great tendency to lead the people to do that which [is] just.” ISBN 0-8849-4841-2

The Seventh Annual Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU “All things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.” This was the Lord’s glorious promise to Nephi, son of Helaman. The general wickedness that prevailed in much of Nephite society during Nephi’s day was in stark contrast to his exemplary faithfulness. Why was this so? How did the people’s decline come about so rapidly? What specific messages do the book of Helaman and the early chapters of 3 Nephi contain for our day? Seventeen symposium papers collected in this volume address these and other issues related to events and conditions among the Nephites and the Lamanites during the eighty or so years prior to the Savior’s appearance on the American continent. Contributors not only discuss great doctrinal teachings of stalwarts like Nephi, Samuel the Lamanite, and Mormon but also provide detailed analyses of how and why the Nephites moved from a condition of righteousness to one of wickedness during this critical period in their history. ISBN 0-8849-4864-1

This book, which contains proceedings of the 1991 dedication of the Joseph Smith Memorial building at Brigham Young University as well as twenty-three papers from the 1992 Joseph Smith Symposium, is a fitting tribute to the mighty prophet and seer who stands as the head of the dispensation of the fulness of times. The variety and scope of the material presented here are indicative of the powerful example of Christian living and sacrifice and the wealth of gospel understanding that the Prophet left to the world. ISBN 0-8849-4876-5

The Eighth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU Chapters 9 through 30 of 3 Nephi are perhaps the most choice part of the entire Book of Mormon because this section chronicles the transcendent visit of the Risen Lord to the Nephite Saints, His profound teachings, and His amazing, compassionate ministry. His recorded actions and utterance during this period offer remarkable scope for a reverent and knowledgeable review such as that done by sixteen scholars in this book. The 3 Nephi text, like that of the entire Book of Mormon, is shown to be “remarkably efficient” and to give “extraordinary unity and coherence to . . . its message.” ISBN 0-8849-4913-3

Volume 3 in the Occasional Papers Series In 1907, when photography was still considered magical, George Edward Anderson set forth on a momentous journey across the United States. En route to a proselytizing mission in England, Anderson—arguably the most important photographer of Latter-day Saint historical sites to date—spent a year capturing vivid images of the sites of such transcendent events as the First Vision, the restoration of the priesthood, the publication of the Book of Mormon, and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. This volume assembles these photographs with Anderson’s 1907 diary, which allows reader to appreciate the photographs in their historical, cultural, and religious setting. ISBN 0-8849-4998-2

The Ninth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU As the final installment in the book of Mormon Symposium series, this volume examines the last four books of the Nephite record: 4 Nephi, Mormon, Ether, and Moroni. Perhaps more than any other part in the Book of Mormon, this section powerfully portrays the cycle through which the ancient inhabitants of America passed many times—the cycle that took them from righteousness to wickedness, from Zion to destruction. Twenty-five contributors here explore the details of this tragic cycle—as it occurred in both the Nephite and the Jaredite civilizations—and also discuss many related doctrinal and historical issues. Realizing the Book of Mormon’s relevance to our day, the writers further take the opportunity to point out the many modern applications. ISBN 0-8849-4974-5

Volume 4 in the Occasional Papers Series From aiding in the early development of San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento to the ministry of Howard W. Hunter as the first President of the Church from California, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have had a rich history in the Golden State. In this volume the experiences of the Latter-day Saints from their first arrival to the year 1996 are outlined. This book celebrates the labors of good people who planted and cultivated in the Golden State—sometimes in hard and unfertile soil. The harvest that the Church enjoys today leads to a greater abundance to come. ISBN 1-5700-8200-6

What did the Prophet Joseph Smith look like? Questions about Joseph Smith’s appearance have circulated ever since his martyrdom. This book is a comprehensive study into what the Prophet looked like based on many years of research. Work was started in 1975 when the author obtained a Joseph Smith portrait and after further inquiry learned that there was substantial disagreement regarding the Prophet’s appearance. The author’s desire for an accurate understanding of Joseph Smith’s image has resulted in this book, which includes the knowledge and resources of many individuals. Nearly 150 images are found in this volume, with fascinating commentary on the Prophet and the significance of each illustration. This book is an attempt to sort those that are accurate representations from those that are not. ISBN 1-5700-8394-0

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

Since the Book of Mormon was first published in 1830, its critics have endeavored to find explanations for it other than the one given by Joseph Smith. Some have suggested that the source for much of the history and theology in the Book of Mormon was an early nineteenth-century book entitled View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith. This book is a faithful and accurate reproduction of the 1825 second edition of View of the Hebrews. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all interested readers—whether critics, believers in the Book of Mormon, or scholars of early American religious history. This printing reproduces not only the original spelling and punctuation but also, as much as possible, the original layout, typefaces, and type sizes. Readers may find topics of some interest for Latter-day Saint history, but it is clear that they will need to look elsewhere to find the origin of the Book of Mormon. ISBN 1-5700-8247-2

This was the first-ever facsimile edition of Manuscript Found, which preserves the original unedited words, spelling, and punctuation of Spaulding’s handwritten text published. While Manuscript Found will undoubtedly never become a literary classic, modern readers will enjoy the charm, spontaneity, and subtle humor of its author. Spaulding’s novel provides an engaging view into one man’s fanciful reconstruction of Native American life. But it will not take long for readers to see that it bears no resemblance to the Book of Mormon. Nevertheless, this unique edition will be a useful reference for students of Latter-day Saint history and nineteenth-century American culture. ISBN 9781570082979

The scope of this volume is the books produced by Latter-day Saints in support of the Church during the period 1830–47. The term book means any printed piece with one or more pages having text bearing on some Church issue; it excludes individual newspaper or magazine articles, maps, prints, banknotes, and ephemeral pieces such as printed forms or elders’ licenses. The contents of this book are arranged chronologically. ISBN 1-5700-8395-9

July 1996 marked the sesquicentennial of Prophwyd y Jubili, or Prophet of the Jubilee, the official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales from 1846 to 1848. Published in Welsh under the direction of Captain Dan Jones while he was a missionary in his native land, Prophet of the Jubilee printed defenses against persecution, items from other Latter-day Saint publications, letters, missionary and conference reports, and Elder Jones’s own bits of wisdom. In this book, Prophet of the Jubilee has been translated and edited. This was the first translation into English done of the publication. ISBN 1-5700-8296-0

As a Latter-day Saint woman during the early days of the Church, Helen Mar Kimball Whitney (1828–96) lived in an extraordinary time. She experienced firsthand the difficult period of persecution in Missouri, the introduction of plural marriage, the aftereffects of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s martyrdom, the exodus from Nauvoo and trek across the plains, and the Saints’ arrival in Utah. This volume presents in their entirety Helen Mar Whitney’s reminiscences as they appeared in the Woman’s Exponent between 1880 and 1887. The author’s eyewitness insights into Latter-day Saint life during the formative years of the Church, as well as her expressions of faith in the gospel, will provide a nontraditional source of study and appreciation as they present a woman’s view of early Church history. ISBN 1-5700-8357-6

While recognizing the importance of that “marvelous work,” the Book of Mormon, are we content to read and reread it for its story line and its inherent spiritual power, without much more than a surface involvement? In this publication a reader can enjoy that scripture at higher levels of understanding as he brings into play Old Testament references, Book of Mormon parallels with that record, intriguing observations, and convincing inferences—all based on profound study. The result is not only a book of great interest but also a more sound and more expansive knowledge of the scripture itself. ISBN 1-5700-8650-9

In recent years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its people have increasingly become the subject of rigorous scientific study in the field of sociology. Researchers both inside and outside the Church have examined various aspects of Latter-day Saint life—including physical and mental health, education, secularization, adolescent delinquency, and the conversion process. This book collects in one volume the best scholarship describing and analyzing the social conditions in which Latter-day Saints live and how the values, beliefs, and practices of the gospel affect their lives. This research portrays a growing church with devoted members who enjoy a healthy and commendable lifestyle. ISBN 1-5700-8396-7

This publication explores the relationship between religion and mental health—a highly debated issue among both social scientists and lay people. In this volume, research that has been conducted on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was compiled. Fourteen studies are collected in this book, representative of the best of scholarship in the field. The studies suggest a clear, positive relationship between religion and mental well-being. ISBN 1-57008-631-1