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Hebrew Poetry and the Book of Mormon

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Zachary Wright interviews Dr. Carl J. Cranney about his paper “The Deliberate Use of Hebrew Parallelisms in the Book of Mormon” available at https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol23/iss1/8/

There has been much said about chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. However, there are 27 other types of Hebrew poetry, which make a much stronger argument for it’s ancient authenticity. These poetic forms appear in specific genres (sermons and narratives) and are absent in others (proclamations and letters). This is exactly the pattern we would expect and shows an intentionality to the poetry that hasn’t been discussed elsewhere.

 

Carl J. Cranney received a PhD in systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, where he specialized in theological anthropology and moral theology. He earned his MAR in philosophical theology and the philosophy of religion at Yale Divinity School and his BA in philosophy from Brigham Young University. His academic interests include interfaith dialogue, comparative theology, and the varied Christian approaches to the theology of marriage and family. As a stay-at-home dad, he tries to squeeze in co-hosting duties for the “Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree” podcast and teaching for BYU Pathway in his limited spare time. He lives in Springville, UT, with his wife Susan and their four children.

Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God.

Classic FAIR – Faith and Cognitive Dissonance – Wendy Ulrich, 2005

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“‘Believest thou…?’: Faith, Cognitive Dissonance, and the Psychology of Religious Experience” by Wendy Ulrich at the 2005 FAIR Conference

It’s an old and frequent spiritual question, and it shows up in many forms. It is the question Jesus asks the disciples who hear his troubling and offending discourse on being someone whose flesh must be eaten and whose blood drunk by those who would have eternal life. The discourse confuses many, who turn back and follow him no more, and then, to those who remain Jesus asks the question, “Will ye also go away?” To the man who seeks out Jesus to heal his deeply troubled son, the question is implied, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” To Nephi, approached by an angel after he is carried away to the top of a high mountain, the question is more direct: “Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?” And to the brother of Jared, who asks to see the premortal Jesus after hearing his voice and seeing his hand, the question is perhaps most clearly stated, “Believest thou the words which I shall speak?”

Believest thou? I am increasingly impressed by the implications of this simple question, and by how often it is at the heart of my mortal dilemmas. Do I believe God’s commandments and teachings, or do I find other explanations of reality more credible for getting what I want or keeping me safe? Do I trust him to tell me the truth, even when it includes improbable and invisible things? Do I trust him to have the love, the will, and the power to save me despite the ways I am not worthy? Do I trust him to keep his promises? Do I believe?

CONTINUED HERE

 

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 57–62 – Mike Parker

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Joseph Smith’s first visit to Missouri; Zion & the temple (D&C sections 57–62)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 57–62 – Mike Parker

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 51–57 – Autumn Dickson

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It’s About You

by Autumn Dickson

I have found an interesting parenting dilemma lately. And though this is a personal situation, I believe it teaches an important principle that we find in the scriptures for this week. [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 51–57 – Autumn Dickson

Right Before Our Eyes

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Recognizing Prophetic Fulfillment and Rejecting False Traditions

Have you ever paused to consider what spiritual miracles are unfolding right before our eyes—and whether we might be missing them?

In his General Conference message, Right Before Our Eyes, Elder Ronald A. Rasband invites us to recognize the majesty of this moment in the Restoration. The growth of the Church in temples, missionaries, and faithful disciples isn’t just impressive—it’s the literal fulfillment of prophecy. Yet alongside that divine acceleration, Elder Rasband warns of ongoing opposition, distractions, and “naysayers” who seek to obscure or diminish the Lord’s work. [Read more…] about Right Before Our Eyes

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 49–50 – Autumn Dickson

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Avoiding Confusion

by Autumn Dickson

Leman Copely was a convert to the church who wanted the gospel preached to his former congregants – the Shakers. The Shakers held some beliefs that were different from our’s. Here is some of what the Lord said regarding that: [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 49–50 – Autumn Dickson

By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples

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Welcoming the Spirit, Discerning the Gifts, and Embracing Every Seeker

Have you ever wondered what truly draws people to the restored Church of Jesus Christ—not just doctrinally, but spiritually?

In his Christ-centered address, By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us that the most powerful witness we offer the world is how we treat each other. As he shares a personal story of a nonmember friend discerning the Spirit in a humble sacrament meeting, he bears testimony that spiritual gifts are real, that discernment matters, and that the Lord’s Church must be a place of belonging for all who seek Him. [Read more…] about By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46, 49–50, 52–56 – Mike Parker

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Spiritual gifts; corrections to Shaker beliefs (D&C sections 46, 49–50, 52–56)

by Mike Parker

(Mike Parker is a long-time FAIR member who has graciously allowed us to use materials he originally prepared for the Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class. The scripture passages covered in his lessons don’t conform exactly to the Come, Follow Me reading schedule, so they will be shared here where they fit best.)

Class Notes [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46, 49–50, 52–56 – Mike Parker

Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46–48 – Autumn Dickson

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Avoiding Confusion

by Autumn Dickson

The Lord continues to clarify and restore His church. This week, He helps to clarify what their meetings should look like and who gets to come. There were some Saints who started acting strangely during these meetings because they believed they were being acted upon by the Holy Ghost. The Lord taught what it truly looks like when the Spirit is working through you.

Here is part of His clarification: [Read more…] about Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 46–48 – Autumn Dickson

As a Little Child

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Reclaiming Grace, Advocacy, and the Humble Path to Salvation

Have you ever wrestled with the accusation that Latter-day Saints believe we must “earn” our salvation? Or wondered how we reconcile commandments with the doctrine of grace?

In his tender and deeply symbolic message, As a Little Child, President Jeffrey R. Holland invites us to return to a place of purity, trust, and humility—where divine grace flows freely and Christ’s role as our Advocate with the Father becomes central to our hope and healing. Through sacred stories and scriptural insight, President Holland shows that it is not achievement that saves us, but our willingness to come to Christ “as a little child.” [Read more…] about As a Little Child