Herod the Great is perhaps best known for the massacre of the innocents portrayed in the Gospel of Matthew. Interestingly, many scholars believe that Herod claimed to be a messiah, and Ehud Netzer’s discovery of King Herod’s tomb at Herodium led to additional evidence. In this interview, biblical archaeologist and Masada expert Jodi Magness expounds on her related article in the Journal of Ancient Judaism.
Joseph Smith has been a fascinating figure since the day of his “First Vision” in 1820. Scholars and believers continue to ask questions about the Prophet’s character, his use of golden plates to translate the Book of Mormon, his relationship with Brigham Young and Emma Smith—and much more. This article presents snapshots of academic and devotional insights about the life and teachings of Joseph Smith Jr.
Central to Hugh Nibley’s religious convictions was a longing for Zion. He felt out of place in the late-20th-century American society, which he considered profoundly flawed and in need of fundamental rethinking. In fact, in light of Mormonism’s mandate to build Zion, Hugh Nibley believed that Mormons who bought into America’s standard economic liberalism were culpable for forgetting or ignoring this divine obligation.
On November 1, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation at a church conference held in Hiram, Ohio, in which the elders were discussing the preparation of a Book of Commandments—a compendium of teachings and revelations to the prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord sent a message through Joseph and designated that it should be placed at the opening of the book as its “preface.” The revelation was published as Chapter 1 of the Book of Commandments and has appeared as Section 1 in every succeeding edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.1
The Virgin Mary is best known today as the Mother of God. Ancient Christians held the same belief, but it’s unclear what else they knew about her. The New Testament, apocryphal writings, and biblical archaeology shed light on certain aspects of her life, such as her likely age was when Jesus was born. Mary also serves as a lens through which we can view the history of Christian theology and the nature of Jesus. In this interview, biblical scholar Mary Joan Leith discusses the role of Mary in early Christianity.
The New Testament is considered scriptural canon for Latter-day Saints, alongside the Old Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. This article compiles scholarly and devotional insights about the second half of the Bible, addressing themes such as history, theology, and revelation. It features interviews with scholars like N. T. Wright, Thomas Wayment, Amy-Jill Levine, Camille Fronk Olson, S. Kent Brown, Eric Huntsman, Terryl Givens, and many others.
The prophet Brigham Young spent two years studying the Book of Mormon before he accepted it as the word of God. He said that he “wished time sufficient to prove all things for myself.” Today, scholars seek historical confirmation of the scripture’s origins to complement their own divine witnesses. In this interview, Stephen D. Ricks discusses evidence that names in the Book of Mormon have ancient origins.
Margaret Barker is a world-renowned biblical scholar. She’s been quoted by the likes of N. T. Wright and given an award by the Queen of England. Interestingly, the Methodist preacher is also a favorite of many Latter-day Saint scholars. In this interview, Kevin Christensen tells the story of how Barker first encountered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and why so many of the faith’s scholars are drawn to her work.
As Moroni’s instructions on the ordinances turn toward the administration of the “flesh and blood of Christ unto the church,” he offers the Book of Mormon‘s only statements on ritualized prayer (Moroni 4:1). He provides the precise wording of the blessings on the sacrament—wording that he indicates came from Jesus Christ four hundred years earlier, wording that would be essentially affirmed in a subsequent revelation to Joseph Smith fourteen hundred years later. These words clearly matter. They would thus seem to warrant our close attention.
Many Russell M. Nelson quotes focus on repentance. Since being called as an apostle, Russell M. Nelson has discussed the need for daily repentance, the role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and attaining joy through repentance. This post compiles President Nelson quotes about repentance from his ministry up to October 2024.