Audio podcast of the Interpreter Foundation

Verbal Punctuation in the Book of Mormon I: (And) Now

Abstract: The Book of Mormon, being an ancient book, was originally written without typographic punctuation and employs verbal punctuation instead. This article looks at the use of “and now” as verbal punctuation in the Book of Mormon. The phrase is used to mark major breaks in the text, not only for chapters but also within chapters of the text. […] The post Verbal Punctuation in the Book of Mormon I: (And) Now first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — December 12, 2021

  You can listen to or download the December 12th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Martin Tanner, Terry Hutchinson and Jeffrey Bradshaw. In this episode, our hosts discussed Dr. Bradshaw’s new books on the Pearl of Great Price. […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — December 12, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 4 (Genesis 5; Moses 6)

During the Winter Semester of 1986 at Brigham Young University, Dr. Hugh W. Nibley, professor emeritus of ancient scriptures, presented a series of 26 lectures to an Honors class on The Pearl of Great Price. This class was videotaped in the Maeser Building and made available by FARMS as both video and audio recordings. The […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 4 (Genesis 5; Moses 6) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 4 (Genesis 5; Moses 6)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 4, “Teach These Things Freely unto Your Children” on Genesis 5; Moses 6. The panelists for this roundtable were Martin Tanner, Terry Hutchinson and Jeffrey Bradshaw. This roundtable was extracted from the December 12th broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show may […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 4 (Genesis 5; Moses 6) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

A Comparison of the Book of Mormon’s Subordinate That Usage

Abstract: This paper compares the Book of Mormon’s subordinate that usage with what is found in the King James Bible, pseudo-archaic writings, and the greater textual record. In this linguistic domain, the Book of Mormon manifests as thoroughly archaic, and it surpasses all known pseudo-archaic writings in breadth and depth of archaism. The implications of […] The post A Comparison of the Book of Mormon’s Subordinate That Usage first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — December 5, 2021

  You can listen to or download the December 5th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye and Hales Swift. In this episode, our hosts discussed the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional as well as the Church’s […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — December 5, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5)

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5)

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5)

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5)

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5)

During the Winter Semester of 1986 at Brigham Young University, Dr. Hugh W. Nibley, professor emeritus of ancient scriptures, presented a series of 26 lectures to an Honors class on The Pearl of Great Price. This class was videotaped in the Maesar Building and made available by FARMS as both video and audio recordings. The […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3, “The Fall of Adam and Eve” on Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5. The panelists for this roundtable were Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye and Hales Swift. This roundtable was extracted from the December 5th broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show may be […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 3 (Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

If God Does Not Exist, Is Everything Permitted?

Abstract: Can people be good without believing in God? Obviously, yes. They can. Is atheistic naturalism capable of supplying a foundation for morality? That is a separate question, to which more than a few theists have answered No. However, a relatively new book by a very prominent student of religion and society suggests otherwise. A […] The post If God Does Not Exist, Is Everything Permitted? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 2 (Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5)

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 2 (Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5)

During the Winter Semester of 1986 at Brigham Young University, Dr. Hugh W. Nibley, professor emeritus of ancient scriptures, presented a series of 26 lectures to an Honors class on The Pearl of Great Price. This class was videotaped in the Maesar Building and made available by FARMS as both video and audio recordings. The […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 2 (Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 2 (Genesis 1-2; Moses 2-3; Abraham 4-5)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 2, “In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth” on Genesis 1-2; Moses 2-3; Abraham 4-5. The panelists for this roundtable were Mark Johnson, Matthew Bowen and Kerry Muhlestein. This roundtable was extracted from the November 28th broadcast of Interpreter […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 2 (Genesis 1-2; Moses 2-3; Abraham 4-5) first appeared on The Interpreter Founda...

Christmas and a Condescending God

Abstract: As religious holidays go, Christmas has been domesticated unusually well — and effectively commercialized — among people and even whole cultures that don’t accept (or even care about) the central theological claim that Christmas asserts. After all, who doesn’t like cute little babies, at least when they’re not crying? But that theological claim is […] The post Christmas and a Condescending God first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 28, 2021

  You can listen to or download the November 28th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Mark Johnson, Matthew Bowen and Kerry Muhlestein. In this episode, our hosts discussed new books on Abraham, Moses and Isaiah. The second portion […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 28, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 1 (Moses 1; Abraham 3)

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 1 (Moses 1; Abraham 3)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 1, “This Is My Work and My Glory” on Moses 1; Abraham 3. The panelists for this roundtable were Bruce Webster, Kris Frederickson and Mike Parker. This roundtable was extracted from the November 21st broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Old Testament Lesson 1 (Moses 1; Abraham 3) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

A Masterpiece on Resisting Our Impulses to Leave

Review of S. Michael Wilcox, Holding On: Impulses to Leave and Strategies to Stay (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2021). 128 pages. $11.99 (paperback). Abstract: In his latest book, S. Michael Wilcox has written a masterpiece on grappling with doubts and overcoming our impulses to leave the Church. Wilcox displays a refreshing degree of personal vulnerability and openness, deep empathy and […] The post A Masterpiece on Resisting Our Impulses to Leave first appeared on The Interpreter Foundat...

Beyond Calculation: A Review of Robert J. Sawyer’s Calculating God

Review of Robert J. Sawyer, Calculating God (New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 2000). 336 pp. $23.99 (paperback). Abstract: In an entertaining and provocative science fiction novel, Calculating God, Robert J. Sawyer presents us with a likable alien scientist visiting earth to obtain more data about God’s ongoing work of creation. The alien is astounded that a human scientist does not believe […] The post Beyond Calculation: A Review of Robert J. Sawyer’s Calculating God first appeared on Th...

Interpreter Radio Show — November 21, 2021

  You can listen to or download the November 21st broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Bruce Webster, Kris Frederickson and Mike Parker. In this episode, our hosts introduced the Books of Abraham and Moses. The second portion of […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 21, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 19 (D&C 46-48)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 19 (D&C 46-48) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 52 (Christmas)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 52, “The Matchless Gift of God’s Divine Son” on Christmas. The panelists for this roundtable were Terry Hutchinson, John Gee and Kevin Christensen. This roundtable was extracted from the November 14th broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show may be heard […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 52 (Christmas) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Demythicizing the Lamanites’ “Skin of Blackness”

Abstract: Racial bias is antithetical to the Book of Mormon’s cardinal purpose: to proclaim the infinite grandeur of the atonement of Jesus Christ. The book teaches that the Lord welcomes and redeems the entire human family, “black and white, bond and free” — people of all hues from ebony to ivory. Critical thinkers have struggled to reconcile […] The post Demythicizing the Lamanites’ “Skin of Blackness” first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 18 (D&C 45)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 18 (D&C 45) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 51 (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 51, “The Family Is Central to the Creator’s Plan” on The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The panelists for this roundtable were Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye and Hales Swift. This roundtable was extracted from the November 7th broadcast of Interpreter […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 51 (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) first appeared on The Int...

The Word of the Lord as a Metonym for Christ

Abstract: The word of the Lord and the word of God are common expressions in the Bible. Frequently, these phrases refer to the written or spoken covenantal words of God to his people as given through the prophets. However, exegetical study of these expressions has revealed that they also serve as metonyms, or substitutions for […] The post The Word of the Lord as a Metonym for Christ first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 17 (D&C 41-44)

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 17 (D&C 41-44)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 17 (D&C 41-44) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 50 (The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 50, “We Believe” on The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2. The panelists for this roundtable were Terry Hutchinson and Martin Tanner. This roundtable was extracted from the October 31st broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show may […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 50 (The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2) first app...

The Book of Mormon’s Complex Finite Cause Syntax

Abstract: This paper describes and compares the Book of Mormon’s 12 instances of complex finite cause syntax, the structure exemplified by the language of Ether 9:33: “the Lord did cause the serpents that they should pursue them no more.” This is not King James language or currently known to be pseudo-archaic language (language used by modern authors seeking […] The post The Book of Mormon’s Complex Finite Cause Syntax first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 14, 2021

  You can listen to or download the November 14th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Terry Hutchinson, John Gee and Kevin Christensen. In this episode, our hosts discussed the 20th anniversary of Kevin’s important paper Paradigms Regained. The […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 14, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 7, 2021

  You can listen to or download the November 7th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye and Hales Swift. In this episode, our hosts discussed the The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The second […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 7, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — October 31, 2021

  You can listen to or download the October 31st broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Terry Hutchinson and Martin Tanner. In this episode, our hosts discussed a list of the best books on scripture and religion. The second […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — October 31, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 15 (D&C 30-36)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 15 (D&C 30-36) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 49 (D&C 137-138)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 49, “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead” on D&C 137-138. The panelists for this roundtable were Steve Densley and Mark Johnson. This roundtable was extracted from the October 24th broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show may be heard […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 49 (D&C 137-138) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abraham’s Amen and Believing in Christ: Possible Applications in the Book of Mormon Text

Abstract: Following the discovery of delocutive verbs and their likely usage in the Hebrew Bible, Meredith Kline proposed that the verb האמין (he’emin) in Genesis 15:6 — traditionally interpreted as a denominative verb meaning “he believed” — should be understood as a delocutive verb meaning “he declared ‘amen.’” Rather than reading Genesis 15:6 as a passive statement — Abraham believed […] The post Abraham’s Amen and Believing in Christ: Possible Applications in the Book of Mormon Text fir...

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 13 (D&C 29)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 13 (D&C 29) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 48 (D&C 135-136)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 48, “He ‘Has Sealed His Mission and His Works with His Own Blood’” on D&C 135-136. The panelists for this roundtable were Kris Frederickson and Martin Tanner. This roundtable was extracted from the October 17th broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 48 (D&C 135-136) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Personal Relative Pronoun Usage in the Book of Mormon: An Important Authorship Diagnostic

Abstract: This study compares personal relative pronoun usage in the earliest text of the Book of Mormon with 11 specimens of Joseph Smith’s early writings, 25 pseudo-archaic texts, the King James Bible, and more than 200,000 early modern (1473–1700) and late modern (1701–1800+) texts. The linguistic pattern of the Book of Mormon in this domain — a pattern difficult to consciously […] The post Personal Relative Pronoun Usage in the Book of Mormon: An Important Authorship Diagnostic first ap...

A Sympathetic but Flawed Look at Book of Mormon Historicity

Review of Terrence J. O’Leary, Book of Mormon: A History of Real People in Real Places (Pennsauken, NJ: BookBaby, 2020). 274 pages. Softcover, $20. Abstract: Terrence O’Leary enters the field of books attempting to describe a geographical and cultural background to the Book of Mormon. Placing the action of the text in Mesoamerica, O’Leary explains the Book of Mormon against his understanding of […] The post A Sympathetic but Flawed Look at Book of Mormon Historicity first appeared on The In...

Interpreter Radio Show — October 24, 2021

  You can listen to or download the October 24th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Steve Densley and Mark Johnson. In this episode, our hosts discussed a recent Interpreter article on Korihor with the author Godfrey Ellis. The […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — October 24, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lessons 11 & 12 (D&C 23-28)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lessons 11 & 12 (D&C 23-28) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 47 (D&C 133-134)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 47, “Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom” on D&C 133-134. The panelists for this roundtable were Terry Hutchinson, John Gee and Kevin Christensen. This roundtable was extracted from the October 10th broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The complete show may […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 47 (D&C 133-134) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Oh, That I Were an Angel!

Abstract: Alma’s conversion experience was both unusual and unusually powerful, and yet he fervently wished that he could provide others with the same experience. So much so, in fact, that he actually feared that he might be sinning in his wish by seeming to oppose the will of God. Increasingly, though, I find myself sharing that […] The post Oh, That I Were an Angel! first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — October 17, 2021

  You can listen to or download the October 17th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). This episode is hosted by Kris Frederickson and Martin Tanner. In this episode, our hosts discussed the need for toleration. The second portion of the show is a […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — October 17, 2021 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 9 (D&C 18-19)

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were recently digitized by Steve Whitlock. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start at the beginning of the […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 9 (D&C 18-19) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 46 (D&C 129-132)

This is an Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 46, “When We Obtain Any Blessing from God, It Is by Obedience” on D&C 129-132. The panelists for this roundtable were Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye and Hales Swift. This roundtable was extracted from the October 3rd broadcast of Interpreter Radio. The […] The post Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 46 (D&C 129-132) first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.