Categories
Ancient history New Testament

Who Was the Virgin Mary in Early Christianity?

A composite painting of the Virgin Mary generated by AI to represent the nuanced way she was viewed in early Christianity.

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.

Continue reading “Who Was the Virgin Mary in Early Christianity?”
Categories
Latter-day Saint History

What’s in the Joseph Fielding Smith Biography by Matt Bowman?

Joseph Fielding Smith examining a manuscript in a library.

A new biography of Joseph Fielding Smith examines the prophet’s legacy and enriches understanding of his views on topics such as scriptures, progress, and orthodoxy. In Joseph Fielding Smith: A Mormon Theologian, readers are given insight into the forces that shaped Smith’s worldview and the influence he continues to have on the modern church. Biographer Matthew Bowman discusses the life and legacy of the grand-nephew of Joseph Smith, Jr in this interview.

Continue reading “What’s in the Joseph Fielding Smith Biography by Matt Bowman?”
Categories
Come Follow Me New Testament

Latter-day Saints and the New Testament

The story of Jesus and the pool of Bethesda, as illustrated in this Carl Bloch painting, is one of many events from the life of Jesus covered in the Come Follow Me 2023 curriculum drawn from the New Testament.

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.

Continue reading “Latter-day Saints and the New Testament”
Categories
Ancient history Book of Mormon Come Follow Me

Do Book of Mormon Names Have Ancient Origins?

S. Kent Brown says that this altar with an inscription of Nahom is the first archaeological proof of the Book of Mormon

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.

Continue reading “Do Book of Mormon Names Have Ancient Origins?”
Categories
Theology

Adam Miller: The Christ Child

A painting of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, conveying the feeling of what Christmas means to Adam S. Miller.

The Christmas story in Luke enables readers to consider the miracle of Christ coming to earth as a baby. A new book by Adam Miller examines the lessons we can learn from the condescension of God and highlights the blessings of seeking to become like little children. In this interview, Miller discusses his book, The Christ Child, and shares what Christmas means to him.

Continue reading “Adam Miller: The Christ Child”
Categories
Bible Theology

Margaret Barker: Why Do Latter-day Saints Like Her So Much?

A headshot of biblical scholar Margaret Barker—a favorite of many Latter-day Saint academics

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.

Continue reading “Margaret Barker: Why Do Latter-day Saints Like Her So Much?”
Categories
Book excerpts Book of Mormon

What Did Moroni Teach About the Sacrament?

A sketch of Moroni writing on gold plates about the doctrinal significant of the sacrament.

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.

Continue reading “What Did Moroni Teach About the Sacrament?”
Categories
Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History

Is This a Photo of Joseph Smith?

Lachlan Mackay argues that the Smith-Larsen daguerreotype is a photograph of Joseph Smith
Lachlan Mackay argues that the Smith-Larsen daguerreotype is a photograph of Joseph Smith. This image has been cropped and the resolution has been reduced. ©2022 Dan Larsen.

A new purported photograph of Joseph Smith seems to pop up every few years. However, all of the candidates have been ruled out—until now. While not the slam dunk some media outlets would have you believe, the Smith/Larsen daguerreotype makes a stronger case than we’ve seen before. In this interview, Lachlan Mackay walks through some of the historical details.

Continue reading “Is This a Photo of Joseph Smith?”
Categories
Quotes

President Nelson Repentance Quotes

A quote from President Russell M. Nelson about repentance.

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.

Continue reading “President Nelson Repentance Quotes”
Categories
Latter-day Saint History Polygamy

Who Was Fanny Alger?

Fanny Alger may have been the first polygamous wife of Joseph Smith. Historians debate many details, but the historical record suggests that she had a secret sexual—and possibly marital—relationship with the Prophet. New research suggests that the relationship between Joseph and Fanny may have begun as a father-daughter adoptive sealing. In this interview, Christopher C. Smith discusses the evidence and implications of the new theory.

Continue reading “Who Was Fanny Alger?”