BYU Studies

The Book of Abraham is considered holy scripture by Latter-day Saints. Scholars have explored the book from various perspectives and have made compelling arguments for its authenticity. This issue of BYU Studies is designed to introduce Latter-day Saints to the Book of Abraham from an academic perspective and provide a reliable guide that can be used to understand it better. 

BYU Studies editor Tina Hawley describes Joseph W. Geisner's Writing Mormon History: Historians and Their Books.

Adam Oliver Stokes reviews Life and Times of John Pierce Hawley: A Mormon Ulysses of the American West by Melvin C. Johnson.

A poem by Pamela Hamblin

Each of the major narrators/compilers of the Book of Mormon evince varying degrees of understanding that their work is destined for modern readers who would face a set of modern concerns. This essay by Luke Drake suggests that Mormon’s editorial hand—on display both in the redaction of the words of Samuel the Lamanite and in the narration of the events surrounding Samuel’s ministry—can be understood to address pressing issues faced by latter-day readers: specifically, the perils posed by racism, “tribalism,” and disinformation.

Linda Hoffman Kimball's lighthearted poem joyfully explores the mix of our ancestors that blend together to create a unique individual.

At one point several years ago, Deidre Nicole Green faced betrayal and deception which she said "crescendoed into blatant and dehumanizing cruelty" toward her. This resulted in her feeling "a deep need to understand forgiveness."

Not all expressions of gratitude are spoken. Susan Elizabeth Howe's poem gives voice to those whose praise is often overlooked. Listen to it today, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Much of classical philosophy can feel out-of-touch, given that the authors often lived lives of luxury. A more recent philosophy, called the ethics of care, stems from the human instinct to take care of each other. This article by Hinckley A. Jones-Sanpei suggests that the ethics of care works in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This poem received an honorable mention in our 2020 poetry contest.