News & Blog
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Moroni 10: That Which is Good...is True
Moroni, who brought the Book of Mormon to a close before “sealing up” the large record abridged by his father, was a veteran of calamity. And it can be dangerous to tame calamity too readily. In our zeal for happy endings, we risk trivializing tragedy, justifying wretchedness, domesticating human agony, or avoiding reality.
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Moroni 7-9: Without Love, Ye Are Nothing
The Book of Moroni is the only book within the Book of Mormon whose original 1830 chapter breaks have all been retained in our modern editions. I suspect the reason is that, for the most part, Moroni’s chapters were already short to begin with.
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Book series “Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants” is now available to order
BYU’s Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship is pleased to announce the launch of a seven-volume book series, Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants. This multi-authored series, a first in Doctrine and Covenants scholarship, distills the significance of Joseph Smith’s revelations for readers seeking a life of faith in the modern world. Each concise volume traces a different theme across the Doctrine and Covenants, touching on the beloved and the lesser-known revelations and combining scholarly insight with practical application.
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Moroni 1-6: Sharing the Sacrament with Moroni at the End of Time
The book of Moroni is the only book in the Book of Mormon in which the phrase “it came to pass” is entirely absent. Perhaps that phrase seems trivial and its absence insignificant--though I think otherwise--but it at the very least it points to the unique character of the book of Moroni.
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Ether 12-15: Peacemakers and Pride
I can never come anymore to the last chapters of Ether without thinking of what still stands out in my mind as a wonderfully unexpected Ensign article from the February 2008 issue.
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Book of Mormon Art Catalog Expands to Include Restoration History and Scripture
The world’s largest database of Latter-day Saint art just got bigger. The Book of Mormon Art Catalog (https://bookofmormonartcatalog.org) now includes not only visual art inspired by the Book of Mormon but also art based on Church history, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
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Ether 6-11: Light and Void
Most of us know the story: The brother of Jared, concerned about crossing the ocean in waterproof—and, consequently, lightproof—ships, sought the Lord's help and, using his creativity, presented sixteen molten stones for the Lord to illuminate.
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Seeking Applicants for the Annual Summer Seminar on Latter-day Saint Theology, “Peaceable Followers of Christ: Reading Moroni 7”
In the summer of 2025, the Latter-day Saint Theology Seminar, with support from the Neal A. Maxwell Institute at Brigham Young University, the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University, and the Mormon Studies program at Claremont Graduate University, will sponsor a summer seminar for graduate students and faculty devoted to reading Moroni 7.
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Call for Applications for a Rotational Fellowship
The Maxwell Institute invites applications from current BYU faculty in Provo with Continuing Faculty Status (CFS) for a 2-year full-time appointment to a rotational fellowship at the Institute. Successful appointees will maintain CFS status for the duration of their appointment to the Maxwell Institute and return to their home department at its conclusion. Appointees will be released from their regular teaching loads and will serve as full-time research fellows with residence at the Maxwell Institute during their terms (offices will be provided at the West View Building).
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Ether 1-5: Two Kinds of Friendship
We are suffering from an epidemic of loneliness and have been for some time now. Not only are we bowling alone, but we are often most alone when surrounded by people or connected to seemingly vibrant virtual communities.
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Mormon 7-9: Hope in Christ
It’s common, when we meet Moroni, to express sympathy for his plight. We gather in Sunday School, nodding soberly, as we imagine wandering alone, grieving a fallen nation, being hunted for commitment to Christ.
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New Full-time Faculty Fellows
The Maxwell Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of two new full-time faculty fellows to start in 2025. Katharina Paxman (Philosophy) and Thomas Russell (Theatre and Media Arts) have been appointed by the university as the first two fellows to occupy these two-year rotational spots.
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Mormon 1-6: The Day of Grace
If we’re being honest, Mormon’s record is a pretty depressing read. Mormon himself is a refugee of war as a young child, tasked with adult responsibilities at only ten years old, thrust onto the front lines of military conflict as a teenager...
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3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi: For They Will Sell Me for Silver and for Gold
At the beginning of 3 Nephi 27, Jesus has completed his visit to the Nephites, and his ordained disciples have begun to preach his gospel throughout the land.
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3 Nephi 20-26: What I Want My Nephew to Know about Missions
Next week is an exciting one for our family: my nephew will leave the Mission Training Center and travel to the country in eastern Europe where he’s been called to serve.
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3 Nephi 17-19: Guarding the Body (Prayer as Vigil)
Jesus spends much of 3 Nephi 18 passing out gifts to an assembled multitude, usually by giving them first to his disciples.
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Art Highlight: Bible Illustrations
This artwork and its accompanying caption were created by Meranda Brodowski, a student artist and designer at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. Meranda is from California and has worked at the Maxwell Institute since January. She is a Fine Arts Major at Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in technology. She strives to create inspiring artwork that represents her faith and testimony.
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3 Nephi 12-16: Ask, Seek, Knock
Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful, like its close textual cousin, the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, is a feast and a puzzle.
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