I was not a BYU student, but I tried to be a student of Hugh Nibley through his published works. They have had a great influence on how I study and learn from the scriptures to this day. I heard him speak at a Salt Lake Institute devotional when I was in college and was amazed to notice that he appeared to be taking notes as he was speaking - at least he was busy writing something during his own talk. I met him once and mentioned that I enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy (he wasn't impressed by science fiction because he felt it idealized scientists), and he told me that he enjoyed fantasy, too. A very interesting and insightful mind that more people need to be influenced by.
brian stubbsAugust 26, 2021
Adding my own miniscule associations with Hugh Nibley, I took Middle Egyptian from him 1971-72. Thirty students started the class, five finished the first semester; three of us finished the second semester. I told him of my plans to also learn Hebrew and other things. He gave me some advice: take Modern Hebrew, not Biblical Hebrew, and you'll read circles around the Biblical Hebrew students. I took his advice and he was right. He later took a keen interest in my linguistic research in Uto-Aztecan, following it closely and encouragingly. He was not only a great man and mind, but also very kind. I loved him like a second father.
Jill PalmerAugust 25, 2021
I am up to page 250 of this book and do not want it to end! Hugh Nibley has been a rock in Latter-day Saint scholarship, entirely necessary in confirming the Book of Mormon in its cultural and religious settings. I enjoy his witty style of taking down critics. He has helped my testimony of the gospel expand, for which I am grateful.
Andre J MostertAugust 25, 2021
I miss Hugh Nibley. Our family: my father, mother, my sister and I moved into the Manavu Ward in Provo shortly after Bro. and Sis. Nibley moved across Fourth East from Ward Chapel. In fact Hugh was one of the Gospel Doctrine teachers. I was 13 years old. My folks attended his class that first Sunday. The first thing my dad said as they walked in our house was "I don't understand that man at all." So, from then on Mother attended Hugh's class and my dad went to the other class. That was our introduction to Hugh. When he found out they actually lived in the 9th Ward's area, he went looking for a house within the Manavu Ward boundary:Three doors west of us on 7th North. My mother and Phyllis became great friends. Finding out that my dad was a carpenter, Hugh asked him to come to their home and see if he could build an office space for him. Dad visited with Hugh and checked out the number of books Hugh had in his library. Hugh had an old carriage house on his property and after checking the floor, my dad explained that the ton of books Hugh had meant that he would have to shore up the floor first. As for me, Hugh was a teacher that was a delight to try and follow his teaching. One day as I walked past his classroom in the old Joseph Smith Building, the door opened and the student poured out, all of them looking totally amaze. I asked a friend, what had happened? He laughed and said Hugh did it again. "What?" He was nearing the end of class and he started teaching in some language none of us recognized. I often walked home from school the same time as Hugh. I would walk behind him as I could see he was reading a book. AS we got to the split where to the right you would cross 8th North to go down Third East on the west side and to the east said. More than once, I jogged ahead and slowed down traffic, while Hugh crossed without ever looking up. During my graduate school days, Hugh's son Alex would often baby sit our two boys. One day my Finnish-born wife asked if we could go talk to Hugh. Which we did. She was braver than me and took along one of the several of his books we owned. As we talked about how many languages he knew, he thought for a moment and then said "15 or 16. I can read and write two or three others, but I don't consider that I know them. Then he signed my wife's book "Since Cumorah" with the brief comment: "Greetings to the Mosterts from Hugh Nibley." We loved that man and his family.
Dennis HorneAugust 25, 2021
I recommend this book to all. Studying Nibley is a profound experience in gaining knowledge and humility.
Barbara BlackburnAugust 25, 2021
I was, and am an avid fan of Hugh Nibley and have many of his books I recorded all of his television lessons. I was young and admired him in so many ways. He said it like it was. He has been a stalwart in my growth and I appreciate all I gained from him. My children and grandchildren have also been his fans. We are so grateful to have been enlightened by his intelligence and determination.
Rosie BAugust 25, 2021
I was a young single working mother in 1982 when I converted to the Church. I had a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, but there was a lot about Church culture that I found confusing & discouraging. I discovered Hugh Nibley's works and his fascinating insights helped me see more of the big eternal picture. I hope for a revival of interest in his work.
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Kathleen Dalton WoodburyAugust 27, 2021
I was not a BYU student, but I tried to be a student of Hugh Nibley through his published works. They have had a great influence on how I study and learn from the scriptures to this day. I heard him speak at a Salt Lake Institute devotional when I was in college and was amazed to notice that he appeared to be taking notes as he was speaking - at least he was busy writing something during his own talk. I met him once and mentioned that I enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy (he wasn't impressed by science fiction because he felt it idealized scientists), and he told me that he enjoyed fantasy, too. A very interesting and insightful mind that more people need to be influenced by.
brian stubbsAugust 26, 2021
Adding my own miniscule associations with Hugh Nibley, I took Middle Egyptian from him 1971-72. Thirty students started the class, five finished the first semester; three of us finished the second semester. I told him of my plans to also learn Hebrew and other things. He gave me some advice: take Modern Hebrew, not Biblical Hebrew, and you'll read circles around the Biblical Hebrew students. I took his advice and he was right. He later took a keen interest in my linguistic research in Uto-Aztecan, following it closely and encouragingly. He was not only a great man and mind, but also very kind. I loved him like a second father.
Jill PalmerAugust 25, 2021
I am up to page 250 of this book and do not want it to end! Hugh Nibley has been a rock in Latter-day Saint scholarship, entirely necessary in confirming the Book of Mormon in its cultural and religious settings. I enjoy his witty style of taking down critics. He has helped my testimony of the gospel expand, for which I am grateful.
Andre J MostertAugust 25, 2021
I miss Hugh Nibley. Our family: my father, mother, my sister and I moved into the Manavu Ward in Provo shortly after Bro. and Sis. Nibley moved across Fourth East from Ward Chapel. In fact Hugh was one of the Gospel Doctrine teachers. I was 13 years old. My folks attended his class that first Sunday. The first thing my dad said as they walked in our house was "I don't understand that man at all." So, from then on Mother attended Hugh's class and my dad went to the other class. That was our introduction to Hugh. When he found out they actually lived in the 9th Ward's area, he went looking for a house within the Manavu Ward boundary:Three doors west of us on 7th North. My mother and Phyllis became great friends. Finding out that my dad was a carpenter, Hugh asked him to come to their home and see if he could build an office space for him. Dad visited with Hugh and checked out the number of books Hugh had in his library. Hugh had an old carriage house on his property and after checking the floor, my dad explained that the ton of books Hugh had meant that he would have to shore up the floor first. As for me, Hugh was a teacher that was a delight to try and follow his teaching. One day as I walked past his classroom in the old Joseph Smith Building, the door opened and the student poured out, all of them looking totally amaze. I asked a friend, what had happened? He laughed and said Hugh did it again. "What?" He was nearing the end of class and he started teaching in some language none of us recognized. I often walked home from school the same time as Hugh. I would walk behind him as I could see he was reading a book. AS we got to the split where to the right you would cross 8th North to go down Third East on the west side and to the east said. More than once, I jogged ahead and slowed down traffic, while Hugh crossed without ever looking up. During my graduate school days, Hugh's son Alex would often baby sit our two boys. One day my Finnish-born wife asked if we could go talk to Hugh. Which we did. She was braver than me and took along one of the several of his books we owned. As we talked about how many languages he knew, he thought for a moment and then said "15 or 16. I can read and write two or three others, but I don't consider that I know them. Then he signed my wife's book "Since Cumorah" with the brief comment: "Greetings to the Mosterts from Hugh Nibley." We loved that man and his family.
Dennis HorneAugust 25, 2021
I recommend this book to all. Studying Nibley is a profound experience in gaining knowledge and humility.
Barbara BlackburnAugust 25, 2021
I was, and am an avid fan of Hugh Nibley and have many of his books I recorded all of his television lessons. I was young and admired him in so many ways. He said it like it was. He has been a stalwart in my growth and I appreciate all I gained from him. My children and grandchildren have also been his fans. We are so grateful to have been enlightened by his intelligence and determination.
Rosie BAugust 25, 2021
I was a young single working mother in 1982 when I converted to the Church. I had a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, but there was a lot about Church culture that I found confusing & discouraging. I discovered Hugh Nibley's works and his fascinating insights helped me see more of the big eternal picture. I hope for a revival of interest in his work.
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