The Heartland versus Mesoamerica — Part 6: Narrow Necks and Small Necks
Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ ...
read moreThe Interpreter Foundation Blog
My Favorite Chiasm in the Book of Mormon
I recently discovered a chiastic poem in the Book of Mormon that in my mind comes close to perfection. It may have been General Mormon’s favorite, and as an economist, it’s definitely mine. I explain why below. Many of you are likely very familiar with...
read moreThe Heartland versus Mesoamerica — Part 3: Up, Down, and Distance
Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ ...
read moreThe Heartland versus Mesoamerica — Part 1: A Foundation for Comparison
Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ ...
read moreComparison of Book of Mormon and Mesoamerican Dates
Brant Gardner’s March 17, 2025, Interpreter Blog post on the life of Mormon in conventional chronological sequence is very interesting.[1] More importantly, that chronological sequence can be usefully applied to an ancient context in which actual contemporary...
read moreThe Discernable Chronology of Mormon’s Life
The way the Nephites kept track of their historical records changed with the first year of the reign of the judges. At that point, the previous sporadic listing of years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem became a very complete listing of years. At first, the counts...
read moreElder Bruce R. McConkie’s Alternative to Evolution
Editor’s note: The information in this post is an overview of Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s teachings and does not represent official Church understanding. The current information is found on a fairly recent Church History Topic on “Organic...
read moreA Little-Known Slice of Church History: Marion G. Romney’s Teachings about the Origin and Mission of Adam
[Editorial Note: This post is only meant to be what its title says it is. It is not an historical treatise on related teachings from various past or present church leaders, or an attempt to compare or contrast them. A few other leaders’ thinking on the subject...
read moreSpiritual Deception in the Age of AI
The Promise and Peril of Generative AI Recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI)—digital technology that mimics human cognition—hold the potential to address some of society’s most pressing challenges. From diagnosing disease with...
read moreInterviews with Ben Spackman and Samuel T. Wilkinson
On 18 October 2024, Daniel Peterson interviewed Ben Spackman, a Latter-day Saint historian of religion, science, and biblical interpretation, on the topic of Latter-day Saint views of evolution, and Dr. Samuel T. Wilkinson, an active Latter-day Saint who currently...
read moreThe Heartland versus Mesoamerica — Part 5: The Narrow Strip of Wilderness
Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ ...
read moreThe Heartland versus Mesoamerica — Part 4: Directions and the East and West Seas
Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ ...
read moreThe Heartland versus Mesoamerica — Part 2: The Heartland “Pins” in the Map
Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ ...
read more“Go to Brigham Young and he shall tell thee what to do to be saved:” Marcus Holling’s Story
Wilford Woodruff wrote in his journal this small note for 22 July 1866. I…attended meeting at the Tabernacle Bowery…[in the] Afternoon Elder Hollings in English + German told how he was Brought into the Church He was a Episcopalien Minister + was...
read moreA Quick Review of Covenant of Christ: A Modern English Version of the Book of Mormon
Review of Covenant of Christ, A Modern English Version of the Book of Mormon (Restoration Scriptures Foundation, 2024). 525 pages. $26.95 (hardback), $21.36 (paperback). This edition of the Book of Mormon has been produced through the restoration church commonly...
read moreElder Mark E. Petersen on the Creator/Creation and the “Race of God”
[Editorial note: The information in this post is an overview of Elder Mark E. Petersen’s (and others’) teachings and experience and may not necessarily represent official Church understanding. The current information is found on a fairly recent Church...
read moreSomething of an Annual Report
Photo by Natalia Y. on Unsplash Dear Friends: We’re coming to the end of 2024. Accordingly, on behalf of The Interpreter Foundation, I want to look back at some of the year’s highlights and forward to one or two of the things that we anticipate for 2025. Please think...
read moreElder Bruce R. McConkie on Priesthood Restoration and the Doctrine of Keys
Unpublished typescript of Mormon Doctrine class lecture given at University of Utah Institute, 23 October 1967 Moroni brought the Book of Mormon; John the Baptist brought the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter, James, and John brought three things: number one, they brought the...
read moreHearing the Voice of the Lord in the Mind #8: Prophets’ Testimonies
Introduction ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 | Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 See the Introductory blog (#1) for explanation about this series on hearing the voice of the Lord in the mind. The below...
read moreLetters from Elder Spencer W Kimball
Letter to his son Spencer Levan Kimball [Note: Levan was beginning to distance himself from the Church at the time and eventually became atheist. His father was deeply concerned and used this missive as a means of trying to fortify him in the faith. Slight editing has...
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