The Interpreter Foundation Podcast

Abstract: Heavenly ascent describes the process of an individual (or community) returning to the presence of God. Though various elements exist within heavenly ascent literature, general patterns can be discerned. This project uses one such pattern as a hermeneutical tool to examine what can be learned about how Book of Mormon prophets may have understood the plan of salvation. Specifically, Jacob’s understanding of the plan of salvation will be analyzed by examining his writings in 2 Nephi 9–10. The evidence from this study suggests that some Book of Mormon prophets (at least Jacob and Nephi) viewed the plan of salvation through the lens of heavenly ascent.

In the text of the Book of Mormon, the various iterations of the term “plan of salvation” appear thirty times.1 This study asserts that a consistent paradigm was used by Book of Mormon authors to understand one element of the plan of salvation, namely heavenly ascent motifs. To investigate this thesis, a summary of key elements in heavenly ascent literature will briefly be examined. These elements will be organized into a model or lens that will be used as an interpretive tool throughout this paper. This overview of heavenly ascent will be followed by a synopsis of scholarly work that demonstrates similar heavenly ascent motifs in the Book of Mormon, providing plausible evidence that Book of Mormon authors were aware of this concept and used it in their writings and [Page 138]teachings. Jacob’s sermon in 2 Nephi 9–10 will then be examined using the concepts of heavenly ascent as a hermeneutical lens. Once accomplished, this analysis will be used to consider whether Jacob understood the plan of salvation through the lens of heavenly ascent.

Heavenly Ascent

Heavenly ascent, or celestial ascent, “is one of the most widespread and long-lasting religious concepts in history.”2 Examples of this phenomenon are widespread in the Jewish and Christian writings,3 as well as in other cultures and religions.4 This concept refers to the idea of a fallen mortal ascending back into the presence of God. This ascension can occur either in mortality or after death, as in the Final Judgement (2 Nephi 11:2–3, 28:23).5

Heavenly ascent as an umbrella concept incorporates several other experiences,

The fourth “Temple on Mount Zion” Conference was held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 in the Tanner Building at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

The presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. The videos are currently available both at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-videos/and on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation. A YouTube playlist is also available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRMn4gyXMWLsWt34zVNC5FmTqBtFfcnxl. The audio recordings are available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-audio/.

Presented at:

2018 Temple on Mount Zion ConferenceSaturday, November 10, 2018https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2020-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/

Conference Proceedings:

The Temple: Symbols, Sermons, and Settings at https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/the-temple-symbols-sermons-and-settings/ (available first quarter, 2024)

Listen to an audio recording of this talk:

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Transcript

During 1988, 1989, and 1990, Hugh Nibley taught Honors Book of Mormon classes for four semesters at Brigham Young University. The lectures were video-taped and audio cassettes and printed transcripts were made of the lectures. We believe these recordings will be interesting to listen to and valuable to your Come, Follow Me study program this year. Each week, we will include the lectures covering the Book of Mormon chapters being studied that week.

This week, we have lectures 12, 13 and 14, covering 1 Nephi 11-15.

All 112 lectures are immediately available in PDF, audio, video, and electronic formats, as well as in paperback books that are available for purchase. Links for all of the available online sources can be found in the Complete Bibliography for Hugh Nibley at https://interpreterfoundation.org/bibliographies/hugh-w-nibley/lectures/.

 

Lecture 12: Book of Mormon—1 Nephi 8—11, The Tree of Life. [repeat from last week]

A discussion about the Tree of Life.

Watch on YouTubeDownload AudioDownload PDF

Lecture 13: Book of Mormon—1 Nephi 12—14, Nephi’s Vision

We were noting that chapter ten of 1 Nephi deals with the Jaws. Chapter eleven does something else. Chapter twelve deals with the New World version: Israel in the New World, the Book of Mormon people. Chapter thirteen deals with the Gentiles and the whole world; it takes the world view.

Watch on YouTubeDownload AudioDownload PDF

Lecture 14: Book of Mormon—1 Nephi 15—16

Also called “The Liahona and Murmurings in the Wilderness.”

We start out with the last place to look if we want to find information. It starts out, “I returned to the tent of my father.”

Watch on YouTubeDownload AudioDownload PDF

 

In the December 31st Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Martin Tanner and Terry Hutchinson with special guest Brant Gardner discuss Book of Mormon lesson 4, “Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God” on 1 Nephi 11-15.

You can listen to or download the Book of Mormon in Context segment of the December 31 broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). The other segments of the December 31 radio show can be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreter-radio-show-december-31-2023.

The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com.

 

Original air date: December 31, 2023. This recording has been edited to remove commercial breaks.

The Interpreter Radio Show is a weekly discussion of matters of interest to the hosts, guests, and callers of the show. The views expressed on the Interpreter Radio Show are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Interpreter Foundation, nor should statements made on the show be construed as official doctrinal statements of the Church.

 

 

In this episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner and Terry Hutchinson with special guest Brant Gardner. They discuss Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 4 and Brant’s books on the Book of Mormon. You can listen to or download the December 31th broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. These audio tracks are also included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast).

The “New Testament in Context” portion of this show, for the Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 4 will also be posted separately on Tuesday, January 16.

The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com.

Original air date: December 31, 2023. These recording have been edited to remove commercial breaks.

The Book of Mormon in Context Lesson 4: “Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God”

on 1 Nephi 11-15

Podcast: Download

Discussion: Brant’s books and articles on the Book of Mormon

Podcast: Download

The Interpreter Radio Show is a weekly discussion of matters of interest to the hosts, guests, and callers of the show. The views expressed on the Interpreter Radio Show are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Interpreter Foundation, nor should statements made on the show be construed as official doctrinal statements of the Church.

 

Abstract: This article is an analysis of the literary structure of Alma 17–20. These four chapters in the current Book of Mormon were originally a single chapter in the first edition of the Book of Mormon (originally, chapter 12). The current article describes a process and rationale that was used to identify several major literary units whose structure is no longer obvious with the division into four chapters. The original literary structure appears to have been written as a 14-part chiasm in which the matching units share many strong links and parallels. According to this analysis, the central units of this chiasm highlight the turning point of the narrative. Ammon preaches the gospel to King Lamoni, and Lamoni then proceeds to cry unto the Lord for mercy upon himself and his people. Thousands of Lamanites then repent and are converted unto the Lord. This critical episode in the Book of Mormon had far-reaching and long-lasting effects. It now appears that Mormon carefully structured this episode to help readers remember key events that transpired and to highlight its importance as a hinge point in Nephite/Lamanite history.

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Analysis of literary structures in the scriptures has become increasingly important in recent years. Jack R. Lundbom’s, Biblical Rhetoric and Rhetorical Criticism, along with David A. Dorsey’s, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament, are two sources that provide a more complete understanding of literary techniques used in the Old Testament. Literary studies on the Book of Mormon have increased exponentially since the [Page 88]turn of the century thanks to the work of John Welch,1 Grant Hardy,2 Donald Parry,3 Brant Gardner,4 Noel Reynolds,5 Joseph Spencer,6 and many others.

Much of the literary analysis done on the Book of Mormon has concentrated on chiasmus. Since John Welch first identified chiasmus in the Book of Mormon in 1967, scholars and novices alike have attempted to identify chiasms of all sizes within the text. As thrilling as it can be to identify a new chiasm, there is great risk of superimposing chiasms onto the text that were most likely ...

The fourth “Temple on Mount Zion” Conference was held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 in the Tanner Building at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

The presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. The videos are currently available both at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-videos/and on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation. A YouTube playlist is also available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRMn4gyXMWLsWt34zVNC5FmTqBtFfcnxl. The audio recordings are available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-audio/.

Presented at:

2018 Temple on Mount Zion ConferenceSaturday, November 10, 2018https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2020-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/

Conference Proceedings:

The Temple: Symbols, Sermons, and Settings at https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/the-temple-symbols-sermons-and-settings/ (available first quarter, 2024)

Listen to an audio recording of this talk:

  Download audio recording

 

 

Transcript