Godfrey J. Ellis is an Associate Editor for the Interpreter Foundation.
- You may know that Nahom, along Lehi’s Trail through Arabia, has almost certainly been located in Yemen thanks to markings on three ancient altars. But have you heard that an ancient headstone has now been found that belonged to a man named Ishmael who was buried in Nahom? Want to know more?
- You may already know that Mary Whitmer was another witness of the Golden Plates. But, did you know that a new account tells how Moroni showed the plates, not as a reward, but to calm down her anger? Would you be interested in that account?
- Have you ever wondered how a person living in 2023, thousands of years after the Ten Tribes and after mixing DNA through tens of millions of marriages, can still be identified as belonging to a particular tribe of Israel?
- You may have heard that Lehi and Nephi were skilled metal workers trading their wares in Egypt. The newest scholarship suggests that they were really highly educated and trained scholars and scribes. That explains so much – want to learn more?
- Every Sunday, during Sacrament, you say that you are “willing” to take the name of Christ upon you. Do you know what that word really means and how it is used in the Book of Mormon?
These are just 5 of the hundreds of gems just waiting for you in the pages of a journal you may never have heard of. It’s called, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. This journal has been turning out fascinating scholarly articles for over ten years. Everything in the journal was written to help support our faith and increase our knowledge of the Gospel. It is a remarkable source of faith-promoting insights on numerous topics. And it’s free!
New peer-reviewed research articles and book reviews appear each Friday. There are also other resources such as reprints of hard-to-find works. The emphasis is on solid scholarship aimed at strengthening the knowledge of readers and defending the Restoration against troubling negative voices.
Writing styles vary considerably and that helps Interpreter reach a wide variety of readers. You’ll find any and all of the following: faith-promoting papers, scientifically specific papers, poetically written pieces, papers on specialized topics, papers aimed at broad general audiences, commentary on scriptural insights, and so on. Interpreter articles are available in several formats including online versions (free), audio recordings (free), and print versions (at cost).
Just go to https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/. There is truly something for everyone.
Although the Interpreter is not officially published by the Church, the journal is 100% supportive of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, Interpreter is mentioned several times on the Church’s website. For example, the Church’s page of “Gospel Topics, Essays, and Other Resources” lists the Interpreter Foundation and the journal. The more recent “Links to Gospel Study Resources” also has links to Interpreter articles. Many of them have been written by BYU-educated scholars and/or by BYU faculty members. Some come from well-known gospel scholars while others come from enthusiastic gospel fans who have found something exciting to share. A few articles even come from those who are not members of the Church, but have fascinating contributions to contribute.
Because I am on the editorial staff of the Interpreter, I am aware of several exciting articles that are currently in production and will soon become available. I wish I could tell you about them now, but I can’t until they are published. What I can do is to share is a list of 10 of my own favorite papers that are already available. You are welcome to read any of these, and much more, online. In future postings, others may share their own list of favorite articles. Here are my top ten:
- You might want to start off with Daniel C. Peterson’s explanation for why there was a need for another source of Latter-day Saint scholarship and thought. His article, entitled, “Charity in Defending the Kingdom” is outstanding. The direct link is: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/charity-in-defending-the-kingdom/ but you can also find it by selecting “Journal” on the home page, then “All Journal Articles,” and going down to Vol. 1 (2012).
- Another article that I found absolutely fascinating (I mentioned it above) comes from Royal Skousen and is entitled, “Another Account of Mary Whitmer’s Viewing of the Golden Plates.” The link is: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/another-account-of-mary-whitmers-viewing-of-the-golden-plates/.
- Some younger Church members at BYU and elsewhere have been troubled and challenged by aspects of Joseph Smith’s polygamy. A timely article that is an excellent example of the Interpreter’s mission to defend the Restoration is: “A Response to Grant Palmer’s ‘Sexual Allegations against Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Polygamy in Nauvoo.’” It can be found at: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/a-response-to-grant-palmers-sexual-allegations-against-joseph-smith-and-the-beginnings-of-polygamy-in-nauvoo/.
- One of my favorites is an article by the creative thinker, Loren Spendlove, who offers “Hannah’s Adversity and Peninnah’s Redemption.” While the point being made could be seen as a small one, it is inspirational to see how one little correction to the ancient Hebrew translation changes a confusing and troubling Old Testament story into a pleasing and meaningful understanding of how God works. After just a page or two, I exclaimed to my wife, “Of course! This makes so much sense! I know it’s correct!” The article is at: https://interpreterfoundation.org/hannahs-adversity-and-peninnahs-redemption/
- There is an article that asserts a new and quite different view of Lehi’s (and Nephi’s) occupation and training. (I mentioned this one above, too.) Lehi and Nephi have long been thought of as traveling merchants, probably dealing in fine metal work. But Noel Reynolds builds a convincing case that they were actually highly-trained scribes. Although new, his idea has already been widely adopted and accepted. It is a “must-read” for students of the Book of Mormon. See: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/lehi-and-nephi-as-trained-manassite-scribes/.
- For those looking for something that is both beautifully written and spiritually uplifting, I would recommend one by Rebecca Lambert: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/our-faithful-lord-passover-to-easter/.
- An exciting find that was so important that it was reprinted here in Meridian Magazine was of yet another archaeological discovery (mentioned above). It is called, “An Ishmael Buried Near Nahom.” The link is: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/an-ishmael-buried-near-nahom/.
- For those interested in Margaret Barker’s theory of a major disruption created by the Deuteronomist reforms under King Josiah, a fascinating presentation comes from Val Larsen. See: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/josiah-to-zoram-to-sherem-to-jarom-and-the-big-little-book-of-omni/.
- Matt Bowen has contributed many articles to Interpreter. My favorite is “’My People Are Willing’” because of the enlightenment it gave me on “willingness,” a word that figures prominently in scripture as well as in the sacrament prayers. It may be somewhat challenging for non-scholars but is well worth the reading: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/my-people-are-willing-the-mention-of-aminadab-in-the-narrative-context-of-helaman-5-6/.
- One that significantly altered my gospel perspective was by Patriarch Steve Anderson, who argues for a non-literal understanding of patriarchal blessings and tribal lineage. It was very exciting and clarified my understanding. It is at: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/author/mstevea/?journal.
Interpreter represents another wonderful resource for those who can’t get enough of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who hunger to feast at His banquet table. If you are not yet familiar with the Interpreter as a gospel resource, I promise that it will open new doors for you.
In addition to reading a few articles, you are encouraged to subscribe at the home website of https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/journal. That is, of course, not required but a subscription will notify you about news, events, and new articles. . To subscribe, click on the link just above or Google “Interpreter Foundation.” Once on the website, click on the pull-down tab labelled “Subscribe” (very top left) or jump immediately into the articles by clicking on “Journal.” I encourage you, also, to talk to your friends about this wonderful, and insufficiently used Gospel resource. Let’s share the wealth.
