Audio podcast of the Interpreter Foundation

Abstract: Historical reports containing information about the properties of the golden plates provide upper and lower bounds for calculating possible configurations of their size, weight, and material composition, as well as the possible properties of reformed Egyptian. This study employs a two-part process to analyze these configurations. First, it examines the physical properties of the […] The post A Combinatorial Approach to Modeling All Possible Golden Plates first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 26 (2025) — D&C 67–70 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Psalms 15:1–5, 24:2–3, and 48:1 [MT 2], as temple hymns of the Jerusalem Temple, are consistent with other texts such as Isaiah 2:2–3 and Genesis 22:14, which envision the holy temple as the “mountain of the Lord” into which one must ritually ascend. The examples of Moses, Nephi, Jacob, and others who ascended into […] The post “Get Thou Up into the Temple”: Receiving Revelation and Becoming Holy in the House of the Lord first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 25 (2025) — D&C 64–66 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 25th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts John Thompson and Martin Tanner discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 16 – June 22 covering D&C 64 to 64. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 64 to 66 for June 16 – June 22 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 18th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Bruce Webster and Martin Tanner discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 9 – June 15 covering D&C 60 to 63. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 60 to 63 for June 9 – June 15 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 25, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are John Thompson and Martin Tanner, with special guest Val Larsen, discuss Val's recent article in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship and the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 16 – 22. You can […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — May 25, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: This article continues a discussion of the imagery, words, and phrases that make up a specific leitmotif, called the seed motif. Two instances of the seed motif found in Alma are discussed as a seemingly intentional diptych in which one narrative reflects the other, but in the negative. Five specific examples from the motif […] The post The Bands of Death, the Chains of Hell, and the Seed Motif first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 11th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Mark Johnson, Kevin Christensen, and Martin Tanner discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 2 – June 8 covering D&C 58 and 59. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 58 and 59 for June 2 – June 8 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 18, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Bruce Webster and Martin Tanner. They discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 9 – June 15, Church leadership, Hugh Nibley, the three Nephites, and Matt Roper's serialized book in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — May 18, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: The classical formulation of God as the sole, self-existent Being and ground of all that exists poses a philosophical problem. If God is omniscient and omnipotent, why does evil exist? Why does he not save humankind from moral and natural evil? If we embrace the full set of classical assumptions of creedal Christianity, these […] The post Latter-day Saint Theology and the Problem of Evil first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 4th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Martin Tanner, Hales Swift, and Brent Schmidt discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 26 – June 1 covering D&C 51-57. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 51-57 for May 26 – June 1 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 11, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Mark Johnson, Kevin Christensen, and Martin Tanner. They discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 2 – June 8; the Abraham and His Family Conference; Matt Roper's serialized book in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — May 11, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: This paper examines Joseph Smith's approach to translation, using the Book of Abraham as a case study to explore the interplay between divine revelation and human participation in scriptural production. While the Book of Abraham incorporates both ancient and modern elements, its unique synthesis resists simple categorization as either an unblemished Abrahamic autograph or […] The post Joseph Smith Jr. as a Translator: The Book of Abraham as a Case Study first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 27th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts John Thompson and Martin Tanner discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 19-25 covering D&C 49 and 50. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of the April 27th […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 49-50 for May 19 – 25 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the May 4, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner, Hales Swift, and Brent Schmidt. They discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 26-June 1 covering D&C 51-57. You can listen to or download the May 4th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — May 4, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Jarom strongly evidences the use of chiasmus to structure his short book. This paper seeks to uncover, display, and discuss the chiastic patterning of the book and hopefully suggests an enhanced understanding of the hidden beauty and deep meaning of this brief but important text. The book of Jarom indeed offers more than what […] The post Chiasmus in the Book of Jarom first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 20 (2025) — D&C 46–48 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 20th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Bruce Webster and Kris Frederickson discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 12-18 covering D&C 46 through 48. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of the April 20th […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 46-48 for May 12 – 18 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 27, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are John Thompson and Martin Tanner with special guest Loren Spendlove during the first hour. They discuss Loren's recent article in Interpreter and the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 19-25 covering D&C 49 and 50. You can […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — April 27, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

[Editor's Note: We are pleased to present the Introduction from a book entitled Anachronisms: Accidental Evidence in Book of Mormon Criticisms. It is presented in serialized form in this volume of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship.]    Introduction All the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, will remain in the realm […] The post Anachronisms: Accidental Evidence in Book of Mormon Criticisms — Introduction first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Review of Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, ed., Joseph Smith: A Life Lived in Crescendo, 2 vols. (Orem, UT: The Interpreter Foundation; Salt Lake City: Eborn Books, 2024). 1,101 pgs., $24.95 per vol. (softback), $69.95 per vol. (hardback). Abstract: Joseph Smith: A Life Lived in Crescendo is one of the most extensive and ambitious scholarly works on […] The post A Fitting Tribute to the Prophet of the Restoration first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 13th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Terry Hutchinson, Mark Johnson, and Kevin Christensen discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 5-11, covering D&C 45. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of the April 13 […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 45 for May 5-11 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 19 (2025) — D&C 45 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 20, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Bruce Webster and Kris Frederickson. They discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 12-18 covering D&C 46 through 48, Easter, the BYU Medical School, and future happenings in the Church. You can listen to or download […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — April 20, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: This article, which focuses on the role of Jeremiah as a prophet, is based on a study of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Septuagint. It also analyzes references to Jeremiah in the Book of Mormon and connects those references to current scholarly research on the book of Jeremiah. Consistent with the general consensus […] The post Jeremiah “the Prophet” first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 18 (2025) — D&C 41–44 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 6th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Bruce Webster, Brent Schmidt, and Hales Swift discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for April 28 to May 4, covering D&C 41-44. You can listen to or download the Doctrine & Covenants in Context segment of […] The post Interpreter Radio Come, Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 41-44 for April 28 to May 4 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 13, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Terry Hutchinson, Mark Johnson, and Kevin Christensen, with special guest Ignacio Garcia during the second hour. They discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for May 5-11 covering D&C 45, the book by Ignacio Garcia about Eduardo Balderas, […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — April 13, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Using the context of Easter, this personal essay explores perceptions of God's presence and absence during human suffering. There is a theological thread that ties Christ's suffering for our griefs and sorrows during his Atonement directly to his ability to succor us as we enter into despair due to our own trauma. Our suffering […] The post Easter as Threshold: Trauma, Transformation, and God's Presence in Liminal Spaces first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the April 6, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Bruce Webster, Brent Schmidt, and Hales Swift. They discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for April 28 to May 4, covering D&C 41-44, General Conference, and AI. You can listen to or download the April 6th broadcast […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — April 6, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Centuries-long speculation continues regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of the Savior. Whether he died sooner than would have been expected, as some scholars believe, or lived longer than expected, statements from the scriptures and modern-day prophets indicate that the Lord died at the exact moment of his choice. According to the Gospels and […] The post Spiritual Implications of the Timing of the Death of Jesus Christ first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the March 30, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Terry Hutchinson and Martin Tanner. They discuss Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson 17 covering D&C 37-40, various biographies of Joseph Smith, and the new temple garments. You can listen to or download the March 30th broadcast of the […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — March 30, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: In this article, I discuss how the ancient analogue to what President Nelson has called “the covenant path” might be seen in the Book of Mormon and elsewhere in scripture not so much as a journey of covenant-keeping that takes us to the temple but as a journey that takes us through the temple. […] The post The Covenant Path of the Ancient Temple in 2 Nephi 31:19–20 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 15 (2025) — D&C 30-36 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

  In the March 23, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner, John Thompson, and Stacey Thompson with special guest Brant Gardner. They discuss Brant's recent article in the Interpreter Journal and Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson 16 about Easter. You can listen to or download the March […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — March 23, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: This paper considers the well-known account of Paul having been struck blind on the road to Damascus and his equally well-known statement that “for now we see through a glass darkly.” Both are examined in light of a solar eclipse that occurred across the Mediterranean in AD 49. It is possible that Paul could […] The post Through a Glass Darkly: Was There a Twentieth-Century Corruption of 1 Corinthians 13:12? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don't stop or start […] The post Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 14 (2025) — D&C 29 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.