Audio podcast of the Interpreter Foundation

Interpreter Radio Show — December 3, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner, Hales Swift, and Brent Schmidt. They discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 53, “When the prophet speaks, the talking is over,” and background of the Book of Revelation. You can listen to or download the December 3rd broadcast of the […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — December 3, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Pixelated Prophets: A History and Analysis of Book-of-Mormon-Themed Video Games

Abstract: Video games represent an innovative medium for entertainment and artistic expression with potential for fostering deeper engagement with religious texts such as the Book of Mormon. Over the past three decades, developers have produced dozens of video games based on the Book of Mormon. This paper provides a comprehensive history of these video games. […] The post Pixelated Prophets: A History and Analysis of Book-of-Mormon-Themed Video Games first appeared on The Interpreter Founda...

Conference Talks: Jesus’s First Visit to the Temple

The fourth “Temple on Mount Zion” Conference was held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 in the Tanner Building at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. The presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. The videos are currently available both at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-videos/and on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube....

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 52

  In the November 26th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Steve Densley and Don Bradley discuss New Testament lesson 52 about Christmas. You can listen to or download the New Testament in Context segment of the November 26 broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 52 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 26, 2023: Come, Follow Me

Interpreter Radio Show — November 26, 2023: Discussion

Interpreter Radio Show — November 26, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Steve Densley and Don Bradley, with special guest Nathan Arp. They discuss the recent article by Nathan in Interpreter, the Strengthening Church Members Committee, and Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 5. You can listen to or download the November 26th broadcast of […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 26, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Not by Bread Alone: “You Can Take Your Hand Off Africa Now”: A New Short Film about President Kimball, David M. Kennedy, and the Revelation on the Priesthood

For more information on the “Not by Bread Alone: Stories of the Saints in Africa” series, go to https://notbybreadalonefilm.com/en/For more information in French, go to https://notbybreadalonefilm.com/fr/To see all of our posts about The Church in Africa, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/africa/   “You Can Take Your Hand Off Africa Now”: A New Short Film aboutPresident Kimball, David […] The post Not by Bread Alone: “You Can Take Your Hand Off Africa Now”: A New Short Film a...

Marvelous Ripples through Time and Mind

Review of Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith’s Gold Plates: A Cultural History (New York: Oxford University Press, 2023). 264 pages, $34.95 (hardback). Abstract: The gold plates were only a physically present artifact for a brief time and only for a select few people. Then they were gone, but the effect of their original presence echoes […] The post Marvelous Ripples through Time and Mind first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

A New Look at the Miracles of the Resurrection and the Book of Mormon

Review of Joshua Gehly, Witnessing Miracles: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection and the Book of Mormon (Monongahela, PA: The Church of Jesus Christ, 2022). 172 pages. $14.95 (paperback). Abstract: Joshua Gehly, an ordained Evangelist of the Church of Jesus Christ, offers a compelling case for the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Gehly uses […] The post A New Look at the Miracles of the Resurrection and the Book of Mormon first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Nephi Wanted to Be a Prophet Like Moses, Not a King Like David

Abstract: While David is frequently held up as the standard for great kings in the Old Testament, examination of Nephi’s writings shows that he sought to imitate Moses the prophet rather than David the king. In fact, he never even mentions David. Relative to two major theological movements in Jerusalem in his day, “Zion theology,” […] The post Nephi Wanted to Be a Prophet Like Moses, Not a King Like David first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Conference Talks: Women and the Priesthood in the Contemporary Church

This paper will examine similarities between the account of the sacrifice and epiphany of the first parents in Moses 5:1-15 and analogous accounts found in apocryphal literature of the late antique and medieval periods. Apocryphal texts I will consider include primarily the Greek Life of Adam and Eve (also known as the Apocalypse of Moses) […] The post Conference Talks: Women and the Priesthood in the Contemporary Church first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 51

  In the November 19th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Bruce Webster and Robert Boylan discuss New Testament lesson 51, “They Overcame … by the Blood of the Lamb” covering Revelation 6–14. You can listen to or download the New Testament in Context segment of the November 19 broadcast […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 51 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 19, 2023: Discussion

Interpreter Radio Show — November 19, 2023: Advocacy

Interpreter Radio Show — November 19, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Bruce Webster and Robert Boylan. They discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 51, Church membership controversies, the recent article by Allen Wyatt in Interpreter, the growth of missionary work, and Book of Mormon study resources. You can listen to or download the […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 19, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Asymmetry in Chiasms, With a Note About Deuteronomy 8 and Alma 36

Abstract: Some students of the Book of Mormon have claimed that chapter 36 of the book of Alma is structured as a chiasm. Some of the proposals depart from perfect symmetry, presenting elements of the suggested chiasm seemingly out of sequence. This has often been pointed to as a weakness in the proposed chiasm or […] The post Asymmetry in Chiasms, With a Note About Deuteronomy 8 and Alma 36 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Conference Talks: “Made Stronger Than Many Waters”

The idea of names as “keywords” has been associated with temples since very early times. In a temple context, the meaning of the term “keyword” can be taken quite literally: the use of the appropriate keyword or keywords by a qualified worshipper “unlocks” each one of a successive series of gates, thus providing access to […] The post Conference Talks: “Made Stronger Than Many Waters” first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 50

  In the November 12th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Terry Hutchinson, John Gee, and Kevin Christensen, with special guest Breck England, discuss New Testament lesson 50, “Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever” on Revelation 1-5. You can listen to or download the New Testament […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 50 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 12, 2023: Discussion

Interpreter Radio Show — November 12, 2023: Advocacy

Interpreter Radio Show — November 12, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Terry Hutchinson, John Gee, and Kevin Christensen with special guest Breck England. They discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 50, the use of unapproved materials, and Breck’s new book, The Bright and Morning Star: Finding and Following Jesus in the Book of […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 12, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

An Analysis of Mormon’s Narrative Strategies Employed on the Zeniffite Narrative and Their Effect on Limhi

Abstract: The prophet Mormon’s editorial skill brings the narrative of the Zeniffites alive with a complex tumble of viewpoints, commentary, and timelines. Mormon seems to apply similar narrative strategies as those used in the Bible in his approach to abridging the history of his people. A comparative reading of the various accounts in the Zeniffite […] The post An Analysis of Mormon’s Narrative Strategies Employed on the Zeniffite Narrative and Their Effect on Limhi first appeared on The ...

Conference Talks: From Temple to Church: Defining Sacred Space in the Near East

In this paper, I propose to revisit the question posed by Hugh Nibley, “What Is a Temple?” in Mormonism and Early Christianity (Salt Lake City and Provo, 1987), 355-90, and by John Lundquist, “What Is a Temple? A Preliminary Typology,” in Temples of the Ancient World, ed. Donald Parry (Salt Lake City and Provo, 1994), […] The post Conference Talks: From Temple to Church: Defining Sacred Space in the Near East first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 49

  In the November 5th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Spencer Kraus, Martin Tanner, Brent Schmidt, and Hales Swift discuss New Testament lesson 49, “God Is Love” on 1–3 John and Jude. You can listen to or download the New Testament in Context segment of the November 5 broadcast […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 49 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — November 5, 2023: Discussion

Interpreter Radio Show — November 5, 2023: Advocacy

Interpreter Radio Show — November 5, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Spencer Kraus, Martin Tanner, Brent Schmidt, and Hales Swift. They discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 49, criticizing Church leaders, upcoming conferences, the “After Death” film, Early Christian concepts of God’s nature and other topics. You can listen to or download the […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — November 5, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Not by Bread Alone: “We Absolutely Fell in Love with the People”

For more information on the “Not by Bread Alone: Stories of the Saints in Africa” series, go to https://notbybreadalonefilm.com/en/For more information in French, go to https://notbybreadalonefilm.com/fr/To see all of our posts about The Church in Africa, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/africa/   “We Absolutely Fell in Love with the People”: A New Short FilmAbout Africa with Elder […] The post Not by Bread Alone: “We Absolutely Fell in Love with the People” first appeared o...

Largely Shadow, Short of Reality

Review of Ronald V. Huggins, Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2022). 392 pages. $39.95 (hardback), $24.95 (paperback). Abstract: Jerald and Sandra Tanner have had a long ministerial career trying to convince people that the truth claims of the Church are wrong. Even though their […] The post Largely Shadow, Short of Reality first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Conference Talks: Prayer with Uplifted Hands

The religious ceremony of prayer with uplifted hands, practiced in Christian denominations contemporary with the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has an extremely ancient and venerable history that goes back thousands of years and is attested in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Israel as well as in ancient Judaism and earliest […] The post Conference Talks: Prayer with Uplifted Hands first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 48

  In the October 29th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Martin Tanner, Terry Hutchinson, and Brent Schmidt discuss New Testament lesson 48, “Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable & Full of Glory” covering 1 and 2 Peter. You can listen to or download the New Testament in Context segment of the […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 48 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — October 29, 2023: New Testament in Context

Interpreter Radio Show — October 29, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner, Terry Hutchinson, and Brent Schmidt. Martin and Terry are joined by special guest Grant Hardy during the first hour to discuss his new book and by Brent Hardy during the second hour to discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 48. […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — October 29, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Not by Bread Alone: Stories of the Saints in Africa

In this post, we highlight a preview video for our new film series, “Not by Bread Alone: Stories of the Saints in Africa.” The series is about African Saints who thirsted for tranquility and found peace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Episodes in the series will be published over the next few years, starting […] The post Not by Bread Alone: Stories of the Saints in Africa first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

“Encircled About Eternally in the Arms of His Love”: The Divine Embrace as a Thematic Symbol of Jesus Christ and His Atonement in the Book of Mormon

Abstract: This study builds upon Hugh Nibley’s insightful observation that several Book of Mormon passages reflect “the ritual embrace that consummates the final escape from death in the Egyptian funerary texts and reliefs” as expressing the meaning of Christ’s Atonement. This study further extends Nibley’s observations on Jacob’s “wrestle” as a divine “embrace” to show […] The post “Encircled About Eternally in the Arms of His Love”: The Divine Embrace as a Thematic Symbol of Jesus Christ ...

Conference Talks: The Messianic Sacred, Not Secret

The “Messianic Secret” theory proposes that Jesus Christ forbids demons and followers from revealing who he is for an enigmatic reason. While the findings of the original theory have largely been abandoned, the idea of secrecy motifs in Mark has endured. Mark’s use of the “Son” may be an interpretive key for understanding some of […] The post Conference Talks: The Messianic Sacred, Not Secret first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 47

  In the October 22nd Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Martin Tanner and Robert Boylan discuss New Testament lesson 47, “Be Ye Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only” on James. You can listen to or download the New Testament in Context segment of the October 22 broadcast […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 47 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — October 22, 2023: Discussion

Interpreter Radio Show — October 22, 2023: Advocacy2

Interpreter Radio Show — October 22, 2023: Advocacy

Interpreter Radio Show — October 22, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner and Robert Boylan. They discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 47, changes in the Church’s name, tithing, and differences in the understanding of New Testament terms by Protestants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — October 22, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Degrees of Glory: A Brief History of Heaven and Graded Salvation

Abstract: While references to heaven in the Old Testament are sparse, non-explicit, and predominantly cosmological, the New Testament reveals a more complex concept of the afterlife that reflects a rapidly evolving understanding of Heaven. The Jewish apocalyptic literature of the late Second Temple period describes a heaven of multiple degrees that is populated with angels […] The post Degrees of Glory: A Brief History of Heaven and Graded Salvation first appeared on The Interpreter Foundat...

Conference Talks: Wiraqocha and the Rites of the Raqchi Temple in Peru

When the Spaniards arrived on Peruvian shores in 1532, they were mistaken for Wiraqocha, a bearded white god who had sojourned among them in ancient times. This god had travelled through the Andes on a perfect 45 degree angle of the north-south axis of the planet. They called it the Holy Path, and the ancient […] The post Conference Talks: Wiraqocha and the Rites of the Raqchi Temple in Peru first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 46

  In the October 15th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Bruce Webster and Robert Boylan discuss New Testament lesson 46, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” on Hebrews 7–13. You can listen to or download the New Testament in Context segment of the October 15 broadcast of […] The post Interpreter Radio: The New Testament in Context Lesson 46 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Interpreter Radio Show — October 15, 2023: Discussion

Interpreter Radio Show — October 15, 2023: Advocacy

Interpreter Radio Show — October 15, 2023

  In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Bruce Webster and Robert Boylan. They discuss Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 46, changes in the Church’s name, and a recent article in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship by Brian C. Hales. You can listen to or download […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — October 15, 2023 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Exploring the Complex Book of Mormon

Review of Avram R. Shannon and Kerry Hull, eds., A Hundredth Part: Exploring the History and Teachings of the Book of Mormon (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2023). 374 pages, $29.99 (hardback). Abstract: This volume collects papers published in multiple venues over a wide time span. A diligent researcher might find all […] The post Exploring the Complex Book of Mormon first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Conference Talks: Ruth: An Allegorical Reading

The book of Ruth easily lends itself to an allegorical interpretation, which corresponds in many ways to the endowment. Ruth, typifying any individual or Israel as a whole, undertakes and completes a journey to the Lord, typified by Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. Ruth goes from emptiness/famine and the bitterness of family death to fulness and renewed […] The post Conference Talks: Ruth: An Allegorical Reading first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.