Posted in Ancient Near East Bible Book of Mormon Evidence Origins Scholarship Scripture

The Book of Mormon’s Ties to the Northern Kingdom of Israel: New Research from Dr. Richley Crapo

One of the more novel arguments I’ve seen against the Book of Mormon was the graduate work of Kyle Beshears, “Davidic References in the Book of Mormon as Evidence Against…

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Posted in Creation Evidence evolution Scholarship Science

Stunning Revelation about the Building Blocks of Life, Amino Acids

Foreordained or predestined: complex theological debates have raged around these terms for centuries. Finally science has weighed in, and the correct answer appears to “preordained.” Maybe not for the human…

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Posted in Bible Book of Mormon Restoration Resurrection Scholarship

The Book of Mormon’s Interesting Uses of Isaiah 25:8, “Death Swallowed Up”

There’s no question that the Book of Mormon has great intertextuality with the Bible, frequently drawing upon its language to convey its stories and concepts in familiar sacred language. The…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Egyptian Evidence Hebrew language Scholarship Translation

Bad Math and the Premature Dismissal of Brian Stubbs’ Work on Uto-Aztecan Languages

In my previous post on the negative review by BYU professor Chris Rogers regarding Brian Stubbs’ work on ancient connections between Uto-Aztecan languages and three Old World languages, some comments…

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Posted in Apologetics Book of Abraham Critics Egyptian Evidence Origins Problems Scholarship Scripture Translation

Further Thoughts on John Gee’s Article at The Interpreter

John Gee’s recent article at The Interpreter on the Joseph Smith Papers volume on the Book of Abraham points to some genuine problems that merit attention. On the other hand,…

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Posted in Ancient Near East Antiquity Book of Mormon Egyptian Evidence Hebrew language Mesoamerica Scholarship

Guest Post from Brian Stubbs: A Response to Chris Rogers’ “A Review of the Afro-Asiatic: Uto-Aztecan Proposal” in the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies

I’m pleased to offer an important guest post from Brian Stubbs, one of the world’s leading experts in Uto-Aztecan languages and a scholar whom I deeply respect for his insights…

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Posted in Apologetics Book of Abraham Critics Scholarship Scripture Translation

John Gee’s Troubling Review of the Joseph Smith Papers Volume on the Book of Abraham

Update, Aug. 29, 2019: There has been an important and welcome update to John Gee’s recent article, “The Joseph Smith Papers Project Stumbles,” at Interpreter that clarifies and to some degree…

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Posted in Book of Abraham Critics Evidence history Scholarship

The Making of a Myth: A Possible Explanation for the Mysterious Ignorance of Champollion (Among Scholars)

I’ve been puzzled several times by the mysterious ignorance of Champollion in the early nineteenth century — not among ordinary Americans of that day, but among modern scholars writing about…

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Posted in Book of Abraham Egyptian language Origins Scholarship Translation

Royal Skousen’s Interesting Theory on the Book of Abraham and Its Relationship to the Papyri

A reader raised an interesting question after reading Dr. Royal Skousen’s C.V. at BYU, where he mentions a theory he is exploring that has not yet been published. Under the…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Evidence Hebrew Origins Scholarship Translation

Ifs, Ands, or Buts: A Reminder on the Origins of the Book of Mormon

In a past Maxwell Institute publication, Daniel Peterson made a great point about the nature of the language in the Book of Mormon that seems to defy theories of Joseph…

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