May we focus on the simple ways we can serve in the kingdom of God, always striving to change lives, including our own.

The Book of Mormon has come under frequent fire from its critics for allegedly quoting portions of the New Testament before the New Testament was written. A classic example of this is the famous phrase from 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Clear allusions to this passage are made by three Book of Mormon prophets: Abinadi (Mosiah 16:8), Aaron (Alma 22:14), and Mormon (Mormon 7:5).

This article presents the results of a word-by-word comparison of Isaiah passages used in the Book of Mormon. Entire verses and phrases are lost from the book of Isaiah in the Bible, and the biblical Isaiah had lost the concept of the restoration of the entire House of Israel.

We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light and truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have.

“O remember, remember,” Book of Mormon prophets often implored.1 My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness.

There is hope for the addicted, and this hope comes through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I urge you … to utilize the temples of the Church. Go there and carry forward the great and marvelous work which the God of heaven has outlined for us.

Abstract: The best explanation for the name “Nephi” is that it derives from the Egyptian word nfr, “good,” “goodly,” “fine,” “fair,” “beautiful.” Nephi’s autobiographical wordplay on his own name in his self-introduction (and elsewhere throughout his writings) revolves around the evident meaning of his name. This has important implications for how the derived gentilic term “Nephites” was understood over time, especially among the Nephites themselves. Nephi’s early ethno-cultural descriptions of his people describe them as “fair” and “beautiful” (vis-à-vis the Lamanites). These early descriptions subsequently become the basis for Nephite ethno-cultural self-perceptions. The Nephites’ supposition that they were the “good” or “fair ones” was all too frequently at odds with reality, especially when Nephite “chosenness” was understood as inherent or innate. In the end the “good” or “fair ones” fell (Mormon 6:17‒20), because they came to “delight in everything save that which is good” (Moroni 9:19). The Book of Mormon thus constitutes a warning against our own contemporary cultural and religious tendency toward exceptionalism. Mormon and Moroni, like Nephi their ancestor through his writings on the small plates, endeavor through their own writing and editorial work to show how the “unbelieving” descendants of the Nephites and Lamanites can again become the “good” and the “fair ones” by choosing to come unto Christ, partaking of his “goodness,” and doing the “good” stipulated by the doctrine of Christ.
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An earlier Insights article noted a possible wordplay in the first verse of the Book of Mormon that provides internal textual evidence that the name Nephi derives from the Egyptian word nfr. While nfr denotes “good, fine, goodly” of quality, it also signifies “beautiful, fair” of appearance. Assuming that at least some senses of the Egyptian word passed into Nephite language and culture, this second sense of nfr may have influenced Nephite self-perception. Several Book of Mormon passages evidence the affiliation.

Our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.

A letter written to W. W. Phelps from Norton, Medina County, Ohio, Sabbath evening, September 7, 1834. Cowdery writes of his irst meeting with the prophet and his immediate work began as scribe for Joseph Smith for the translation of the Book of Mormon. Then he writes of the manifestation of the angel to give the Aaronic Priesthood.

A letter written to W. W. Phelps from Norton, Medina County, Ohio, Sabbath evening, September 7, 1834. Cowdery writes of his irst meeting with the prophet and his immediate work began as scribe for Joseph Smith for the translation of the Book of Mormon. Then he writes of the manifestation of the angel to give the Aaronic Priesthood.

Recalls his cherished relationship with the prophet Joseph Smith and tells of his gratitude to have been a part of the translation of the Book of Mormon.

The Oakland California Temple plays an important role in the culture of the Bay Area. This book tells the story of the temple from early prophecy to the construction and dedication and through its jubilee. When David O. McKay announced that the Oakland Temple would be built, referring to prophecies by Brigham Young and others, he declared, “We feel that the time has come when these prophecies should be fulfilled.” During the temple dedication service, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley stated: “This temple is not only a thing of beauty and of joy to those who see it. It is a living expression of a testimony.” This story is enhanced with beautiful and historic images, including many color photographs. ISBN 978-0-8425-2760-3

“An important element in any military endeavor is the loyalty of the soldiers. Obviously, even the most brilliant military tactics will fail if the troops are unfaithful in fulfilling their duty. Often, to instill this loyalty, an oath of allegiance is administered to recruits. The well-known title-of-liberty episode in Alma 46 of the Book of Mormon includes an interesting example of just such an oath. This paper will examine that oath, drawing upon parallels from the ancient Near East for comparison.” [Author]

A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.

A Discourse by President Heber C. Kimball, Delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, March 1, 1857. Reported By: G. D. Watt.

Obedience is an emblem of our faith in the wisdom and power of the highest authority, even God.

Remarks by Elder Ezra T. Benson, made in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, March 8, 1862. Reported By: J. V. Long.

Men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness come from obedience to His laws.

Discourse by President Heber C. Kimball, made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, June 19, 1862. Reported By: J. V. Long.

Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered in the Meetinghouse, Beaver, Wednesday Afternoon, June 20, 1883. Reported By: John Irvine.

What a great blessing it is to have prophets in our day!

Obedience leads to true freedom. The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated.

Discourse by President George A. Smith, delivered in the Bowery, Logan City, Friday Morning, June 27, 1873. Reported By: David W. Evans.

The Lord recognizes that many of us tend to stray from His counsel when all is going well with us, yet when trouble comes we seek after Him and His blessings.

An Address by President Heber C. Kimball, Delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, September 17, 1854. Reported By: G. D. Watt.

Remarks by President Brigham Young, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, May 21, 1871. Reported By: David W. Evans.

A Discourse by President Heber C. Kimball, Delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, April 2, 1854. Reported By: G. D. Watt.

Discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, July 18, 1869. Reported By: David W. Evans.

Discourse by Elder Wilford Woodruff, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, June 12, 1881. Reported By: John Irvine.

Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Feb. 10, 1884. Reported By: John Irvine.

Discourse by Joseph F. Smith, delivered in the Ogden Tabernacle, Saturday Afternoon, July 18, 1884, being the Quarterly Conference of the Weber Stake of Zion. Reported By: John Irvine.

Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Evening, December 14, 1884. Reported By: John Irvine.

Remarks by President Brigham Young, at Bountiful, May 17, 1868. Reported By: Edward L. Sloan.

Discourse by Elder Amasa M. Lyman, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 7, 1862. Reported By: G. D. Watt.

Discourse by President Wilford Woodruff, delivered at the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, July 20, 1883. Reported By: John Irvine.

Remarks by President Brigham Young, Delivered at the opening of the Conference, Great Salt Lake City, April 6, 1857. Reported By: G. D. Watt.

Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered at Logan, on Sunday Afternoon, August 31, 1879. Reported By: Geo. F. Gibbs.

Remarks by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Old Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, February 16, 1868. Reported By: G. D. Watt.

Defends criticisms that the Book of Mormon contains bad grammar by stating that any errors of the book are the errors of man. Mentions the errors of the Bible.

Cites archaeological evidence that iron was used by ancient American inhabitants, supporting the claim made by the Book of Mormon concerning steel and iron. [A. C.]

This article is an answer to the criticism that certain chapters of Isaiah were written after Lehi’s departure from Jerusalem and thus could not have been included in the Book of Mormon.

Discusses arguments against the Book of Mormon—objections are based on falsehoods, dishonesty, and insincerity.

[R] 1898. Responds to critics of the Book of Mormon. Writes concerning metal plates, manner of translation, poor grammar, rapid population growth, dark color of Lamanites, modern words used in the translation, polygamy, place of Christ’s nativity, Holy Spirit given before Christ came in the flesh, the charge of plagiarism, and the Spaulding theory.

Morton responds to three objections to the Book of Mormon. Mr. Rought Brooks of the Burnley News maintains that the Book of Mormon is weakened because Joseph Smith used a “peek-stone” to search for money, and the Book of Mormon mentions the use of “precious steel,” domesticated horses, cows and oxen, and the compass. Morton counters that the Chinese used magnetic directors in 2634 B.C., ancient iron remains have been dug up in the New World, as have remains of horses. Buffaloes are domesticated cows and oxen gone wild.

Series of articles that offer “plain, simple and reasonable explanations” of difficult passages in the Book of Mormon. Most arguments deal with the events that occurred near the Hill Cumorah in New York state and the other events that transpired in Central America and attempt to explain these events in relation to the great distance between the two locations. Many evidences in the Book of Mormon sustain the fact that the United States was thickly inhabited by the Nephite people who had traveled northward both by land and in ships by sea.

A rebuttal to Dr. Shelton, who had given several anti-Mormon lectures in one of the principal cities in England. Sheldon pointed out blemishes in the Book of Mormon and misquoted it. He ridiculed the book’s ship building, grammatical construction, reference to a compass, similarity to the Bible, foreknowledge of God, and the ministry of Christ before his birth.

Remarks by President Daniel H. Wells, made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, Sunday, June 17, 1860. Reported By: J. V. Long.

In short, our end goal in this effort is to create “a community of belonging” and “an environment of belonging” in which each member is valued and all realize their divine potential as children of God.

Discourse by President Heber C. Kimball, made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, January 6, 1861. Reported By: J. V. Long.

A collection of excerpts from Gillum’s journal that mention Hugh Nibley.

There are a total of 42 verses in the Book of Ether which apply to this discussion. Because of the limited information provided there must needs be some speculation. The Jaredites collected seeds, swarms of bees, fowl, and live fish: this article discusses why they might do that. It is determined that these did not travel to the Americas. The fowl that made the ocean journey were likely descendants of the red jungle fowl (chickens). The Jaredites were early travelers on the Silk Road. The brother of Jared cut a hole in the bottom of an ocean-going boat. The hole is necessary to ensure a safe and healthy ocean passage. An MIT experiment demonstrates the viability of the proposed ventilation system for the boats. The psychological effect on the crews is taken into consideration and the conclusion is that the journey was made in two legs.

Duplicated by author. Considers the 360-day “tun” year and other suggestions in attempting to settle beginning and ending points for Nephite chronology.

Remarks by President Brigham Young, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, June 2, 1872. Reported By: David W. Evans.

A look into Hugh Nibley’s life.

Review of Early Mormonism and the Magic World View (1998), by D. Michael Quinn

Remarks by Apostle Franklin D. Richards, delivered at the Quarterly Conference, Logan, Sunday Morning, November 4, 1883. Reported By: John Irvine.

The latest issue of the Maxwell Institute’s Occasional Papers (number 5 in the series) focuses exclusively on what Joseph Smith called “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion”—the Book of Mormon. As M. Gerald Bradford, editor of the series and associate executive director of the Maxwell Institute notes, “the papers in this volume show that the Book of Mormon can be studied and understood from a wide variety of scholarly disciplines.”

Gives brief assessment of the Book of Mormon. Says that anthropologists agree on some points with the Book of Mormon.

An examination of the life and work of Thomas Stuart Ferguson, a well known Book of Mormon apologist and founder of the New World Archaeological Foundation. The writer concludes that Ferguson lost faith in the Book of Mormon before he died.

The author looks at the Book of Mormon as a form of fiction and deconstructs many literary forms that are prevalent in American Gothic culture.

Reprinted in a revised and expanded format, with updated references as Of All Things! Classic Quotations from Hugh Nibley, 2nd ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1993.

Reprinted from Of All Things! A Nibley Quote Book.

Reprinted in Hugh Nibley: A Consecrated Life, 2002. 55.
Poem written for his grandmother when he was 16.

By focusing on Jesus Christ, we invite His Spirit into our lives. Through that Spirit, Christ changes us. Through that Spirit, He expands our perspective and helps us see things as they really are, which helps us judge both others and ourselves in a more charitable and accurate light.

Review of “Is Mormonism Christian?” (2002), by Craig L. Blomberg

More than something that that dude in the Third Ward or your great aunt does, genealogical consciousness is a way of being, a way of thinking about your place within and responsibility to the generations surrounding you.

The promise of a higher education at BYU not only includes the highest quality instruction and meaningful research but also includes the direct influence of heaven. The BYU experience aims to develop faith, intellect, and Christlike character in a quest that will ultimately—in the far distant future—lead to perfection.

An article appeared in the Kansas City Times asserting that according to the Book of Mormon, a race of people wandered across the “Behring’s Strait and down into the Continent of North America, establishing a great civilization” “In response to requests from the Church offices a rather lengthy and corrective news story” was published to correct the error.

Some of the Jaredite nation possibly broke away from the main colony to journey southward to South America to become the Inca and pre-Inca civilization. Lehi’s colony on the other hand did not spread out, but stayed close to their point of origin since the land was fertile.

The family of Abraham and missionary work

As the Church continues to expand, especially in foreign lands, the percentage of members who are literal descendants of the pioneers decreases, but I believe that those who bind themselves to this great work that the pioneers began are somehow spiritually adopted and become descendants of those noble forbears.

As is well known, when the words of the Book of Mormon were translated “by the gift and power of God,” there was no punctuation at all in the early manuscripts, and that is the way the translated text was delivered to E. B. Grandin’s print shop. Type-setter John Gilbert reported that when he sat down to prepare the text for publication, “every chapter . . . was one solid paragraph, without a punctuation mark, from beginning to end.”¹ So he added punctuation and paragraphing as he went along. He did a good job, especially for someone reading the book for the first time, but there are a few sentences that could have been punctuated in more than one way, with slightly different results. Since the punctuation of the Book of Mormon does not enjoy the same revealed status as the words themselves, it may be worth considering some of the alternatives.

The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on a path to regrets.

Review of Trent D. Stephens and D. Jeffrey Meldrum. Evolution and Mormonism: A Quest for Understanding.

Twelfth-century Cairo was a vibrant place. The legendary Saladin, who had recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187, had established himself there and was actively transforming it from a royal resort into a cosmopolitan center of power, commerce, learning, and culture. A pious Muslim, Saladin chose for his physician at court a Jew who had been twice exiled—first from his hometown of Cordoba, Spain (Andalusia), and then again from Fez, Morocco (al- Maghreb)—by the fanatical Almohad regime of Northwest Africa.

We particularly want you young men to have a strong testimony, with solid roots, because only then will it be an unerring compass for you.

Review of Paul Owen. “Monotheism, Mormonism, and the New Testament Witness.” In The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement.

May I suggest that human intimacy, that sacred, physical union ordained of God for a married couple, deals with a symbol that demands special sanctity.

In time, you will one day look down at the shoreline of your life and see it washed clean, purified, and sanctified, and in the water’s reflection you will see the image of Christ in your countenance.

A brief history of the lineage of Ephraim including Joseph Smith’s lineage

Declares the Book of Mormon to be a missionary tool of greatest value. Coupled with the Spirit, the Book of Mormon will do more to bring the souls of men to the Lord than anything else. It is the great standard of the Church.

Declares the Book of Mormon to be a missionary tool of greatest value. Coupled with the Spirit, the Book of Mormon will do more to bring the souls of men to the Lord than anything else. It is the great standard of the Church.

If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

Let us not be ashamed of our singularity. Let us celebrate the “dignity of difference” in our standards of behavior.

Review of D. A. Carson. The Intolerance of Tolerance. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 2012. 186 pp. with indices of names, subjects and scriptures. $24.00 (hardback), $16.00 (paperback).

We may not fully understand why our own polis demands certain looks. Yet, as Lord Chesterfield observed, “Dress is a very foolish thing, and yet it is a very foolish thing for a man not to be well dressed, according to his rank and way of life.” Perhaps we should be more conscious of the outer symbols we wear and why we wear them, for these symbols strongly comment on our internal beliefs.

Contrary to what some may assume, the plates were most likely made not of pure gold but rather of an alloy termed tumbaga by the Spanish.

Review of The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Tmeple Worship (1994), by David John Buerger