Thank You Brother Anderson! Review of "The Disciple as Scholar: Essays on Scripture and the Ancient World in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson," FARMS Symposium, 2000
Reviewed by Kerry A. Shirts
The Festschrift for the LDS scholar Richard Lloyd Anderson, put out by FARMS this year (2000) is simply magnificent! Every bit as good as those put out in honor of John Sorenson and Hugh Nibley, which I will get to reviewing here shortly. This book called "The Disciple as Scholar: Essays on Scripture and the Ancient World in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson," FARMS 2000, is a whopping 670 page goldmine for variety of Book of Mormon themes, the Bible and Church History as well as early Christian history, all fields in which Bro. Anderson has excelled in over the last 50 years in his unforgettable service at BYU. It even has a scripture and ancient citation index as well as a subject index for easy referencing.
It was intriguing and surprising for me to learn that the missionary discussions were a direct result of Brother Anderson! Shows you how little I really know. What a contribution. It is always a delight to read about a great man. I am familiar with his two major works on Paul and the Book of Mormon Witnesses, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning a little more about the man himself in the preface. The contributors read like a who’s who in Mormonism. I’ll just highlight what I felt was fun and good to read in each contribution and leaving the rest of the discoveries to your own personal reading in this **** star rated book out of a **** star rating.
S. Kent Brown turns his talent to looking at marriage in the Book of Mormon. Overall I felt his article yet again, and in another surprising way, shows us the Book of Mormon is a complex history, rather than a simply Sally, Dick and Jane novel made up in Joseph Smith’s mind. The nuances and details of this ancient social custom as the Nephites lived and understood it is most interesting. The legal and social issues stemming from the abduction of the Lamanite daughters told about at Mosiah 20:3-5 is interesting as well. The details of the broken treaty and law as depicted in ancient Israelite systems found in the Old Testament is well brought out. The more detail we find in the Book of Mormon, the more impossible it seems to actually demonstrate Joseph Smith went through the Bible with a fine tooth comb and interwove all the nuances, legal aspects, and social situations involved in this massively packed narrative of over 500 pages! S. Kent Brown, as only he can, explains the processes and ramifications of this episode in a delightful way.
David B. Honey and Michael P. Lyon combine to write their chapter on the inscriptions on ancient Chinese Gold Plates, which was a little difficult to follow through, but intriguing. Studying different cultures requires us to adjust our own mindsets with what is comfortable reading, and wade in and learn something new. This chapter is superb for that. Their description and comments of the unearthing of the Chinese Pagoda after the earthquake of 1978 is just terrific. Here we see at once that our knowledge of ancient cultures is so dismally incomplete that everything we study is tentative forever, as Hugh Nibley has proclaimed for decades. The new insights and information this one structure yields is impressive, to say the least. The crown of gold discovered inscribed with the constellation of the Big Dipper on its inside was fascinating, especially in light of what has been said of our own hypocephalus and its symbolism in the Pearl of Great Price. Yes, I always use what I already know against what I am learning to see connections. This is the essence of scholarship and parallels in studies between cultures and of cultures.
And, as usual, let me just here say a hearty thank you to Bro. Lyon for his skillful and much appreciated drawings. They add a tremendous value to what is being said. His illustrations always enhance any text he illustrates, and I for one, truly appreciate his work in this area.
The parallels drawn from regular Chinese life, to the life of the cosmos, and man’s interconnectedness with it was one of the superb parts of this paper. We are the microcosm of the macrocosm, as our own scriptures teach also. The symbolism of the four cardinal directions in ancient Chinese intellectual and religious life was fascinating to read about. Their symbolism is part of the world wide network of ancient symbolism alive in the Maya here in the ancient Americas, to the Egyptians of Egypt, and the North American Indians in the United States. Now China is added to the list, as was India with the researches of Zimmerman. This was very fun to read about. The significance of the gold plates in ancient China to be a record of their scriptural tradition will catch the eye of any Mormon. The layout of the ancient Israelite tabernacle with the ancient Mandalas of the Far East was intriguing also. The correlation with the actual architecture of the Salt Lake Temple was simply electrifying however! Wow, was this ever fun to read!
Victor L. Ludlow wrote on the Covenant teachings in the Book of Mormon. It was most interesting to learn that the word covenant appears on an average of once every third page in the Book of Mormon, clearly showing this is a main emphasis. I always love statistics like this in order to understand just what a book is saying and emphasizing. Ludlow’s charts are very helpful in seeing where in the Book of Mormon the clusters of the word appear, and what the emphasis is. And yet again, with this, another subject, the Book of Mormon displays its astonishing variety and detail, of which it would be virtually impossible to keep straight in anyone’s head were they making this up. Ludlow shows all sorts of varieties of covenants made between man and man, man and God, and man and the Devil. And from the Title page to the very end these are constantly referred to, interwoven, intermixed, explicitly detailed, etc., all in order and never contradicting within the narrative!
Louis Midgley has the heart of the essays with his chapter on remembering the Book of Mormon as an ancient book. His research into the reason the Jews have maintained their faith in light of the acids of modernity (a phrase he takes from Martin E. Marty, is precisely because they have maintained that the Bible is still relevant for them as an ancient book and history of their people and God’s dealings with them. Their history shows God interacting with them as a people, and God keeping his promises to continue to do so. This is what maintains their faith. For modern secular scholars in Mormonism, and without who come along and claim well the BofM is really only inspired fiction, that doesn’t cut it. We need, we want, we will have the Book of Mormon as an authentic ancient history of real people and real events, because we are grounded in history, exactly as God’s ancient peoples, the Jews are. This is the finest reply I have read anywhere in print to the secular Mormons who feel it is just as spiritual and realistic to maintain the BofM as a modern fiction from Joseph Smith rather than a translation of an ancient text. Louis Midgley’s article is a must read. His analysis of the ways of remembrance in the scriptures, and especially the BofM is chock full of significant insights. The BofM prophets were reminding the people time and again, O remember, remember……Midgley’s analysis of what they are really saying is worth the cost of the book! The best analysis I have ever read, and it kept me up half the night looking up references. How this shows the 1830 audience is not the proper setting is a masterwork of detection and analysis. This remembereing is truly only understood and makes sense from an ancient setting. Thank you Bro. Midgley for helping us to remember….what the BofM is and is all about.
Marian Robertson Wilson’s article on the oratorio of the Book of Mormon, just honestly did not get through to me at all. But that is simply not her fault, but mine, as I am as musically inclined as an elephant is doing gynamstics on the parallel bars. I hope to not offend her at all for skipping her comments and article. I just can’t appreciate musical scores involving the scriptures because I am not a musician myself and am not musically inclined.
John L. Sorenson’s article on religious groups and movements in the BofM, once again, and with another entirely different theme shows the sheer complexity and difficulty in the Book of Mormon of keeping who is who and where they went and ended up straight in our heads. His interpreting how religion was thought of anciently as opposed to how we think of it was fun to read. It was utterly fascinating for me to learn that the ancient Hebrews have no word for religion. Their understanding of religion was the fear of God. Sorenson, as only he can, shows the varieties of groups in the BofM and their interactions, and actions involving moving about, exchanging religious ideas, etc. in a complexity that is marvelous. This simple little book, the BofM, talking about descendants, kings, dissenters, political intrigues and associations, treaties, covenants, etc., is flawless! The multiple sociocultural setting and aspects of the interacting groups is incredibly demonstrated by Sorenson. The differences of worship between the Nephites and Lamanites is discussed. The functional social support, the movement, the geographic mobility of Alma’s Church in the wilderness is fascinating to read about. The order of the Nehors with the interpenetration of religion, politics, and economics is stunningly demonstrated to be consistent within the narrative of the BofM itself. The operations of the secret socities, the Mulekite cults, population fluctuations, demographic history of immigrations of groups, separate peoples who would and others who would not join the church, is all discussed. The Zoramites (does this complexity never end???) and their religiopolitical concepts intermingle. Sorenson has masterfully demonstrated this is not a simpleton’s story. And, and the main point of view of course, is their religiousity. And the various types displayed in the Book of Mormon.
John F. Hall’s paper on the Military reforms of Diocletian showed how he tried to shore up the weaknesses and strengthen the outlying areas of the Roman Empire. How he changed the military and shocked people by doing so. I have to admit, this also did not interest me near as much as the other essays, although he did a good job in researching and writing this.
Richard Holzapfel’s article on the social context of the 1st century Roman Christianity was good background on the early Christian church. He talked about the wealth and population of the Roman capitol. The various reigns of the emperors and who they were the dirtiness of the city. Interesting! The religious and social status of the population, how foreigners were dealt with, etc. He discusses the cult of Isis and how the Christians and Jews interacted. Then he brings in Paul and the context of his mission there.
Hugh Nibley, talked on the last days, a favorite theme of his. The interesting thing here is he used no footnotes! That alone is an eye catcher. His knowledge of the axial periods and the recurring themes of apostasy and restoration, not only of religion, but culture (its disintegration and rising anew) is most impressive. He sums up the wealth of a lifetime of learning in this essay. He weaves in the ancient Greeks, Jews, and Christians, religion, Old Testament, New Testament, BofM, and PofGP, along with science and science fiction for extra measure! The man is a one man revolution of learning and knowledge. I never tire of reading his writings.
Donald W. Parry describes the Hebrew background and meaning of Isaiah 9:3-7 of the Messiah as the New King. He says this scripture is dealing with the Millenial reign of the Messiah. A noteworthy view. His commentary on the various descriptions of the Messiah as the Son of God, the King, the everlasting Father, etc. was good reading as well.
Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks in their paper on the Throne theophany of Muhammad, was perhaps the most unique paper in this grand collection. The idea of God on his throne and his prophetic messengers seeing him there, and their call is well known from other FARMS publications, but these two show how this can extend to Muhammad as well! The analysis of the throne theophany tied in with the BofM and Ezekiel was fascinating, but the tie in with the Quran and Muhammad was quite brilliant if I may say so myself. The ascent to heaven, seeing God on the throne and the receiving of the heavenly book are all parallels with Muhammad now as well as Lehi, and Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc. This was quite an astonishing revelation for me. I had no idea that Muhammad fit into the prophetic patterns of ancient Israel. A great read this article.
David Rolph Seely and Joann Seely’s article on Josephus’ portrayal of Jeremiah was wonderful! The idea that Josephus tells us as much about himself in his writings as about Jeremiah was great to read. This can apply with any author so far as that goes. It certainly has been shown to be the case with Fawn Brodie’s work on Joseph Smith from Hugh Nibley, Louis Midgley and Newell Bringhurst. There is more of Brodie in her writing than of Joseph Smith. The same with Josephus. The historical as well as theological aspects of this in Josephus was interesting to read, namely Gods punishing the Jews with destruction because they were wicked and relied on the arm of flesh is in both Jeremiah, and Josephus’ life.
Andrew Skinner’s article on the Serpent as symbol of both Satan and Christ was nothing new to me, though his organization and presentation of the material was really well done. The interesting thing about this is how pagan a symbol can be so religious and yet have multiple meanings in multiple contexts. This is precisely what LDS have understood in the scriptures, and nowhere more than in Joseph Smith’s explanations in the facsimiles in the PofGP. The critics have lambasted us for supposing there can be many meanings in symbols, but Skinner, in another fashion shows just how the serpent can be symbol for the ultimate opposites, God and/or the devil! A great paper to have to reference.
Richard Draper’s analysis of Christ dealing with the hypocrites, as well as what hypocrite means in its original meaning was quite a nifty eye opener. I love papers which deal with original meanings of words, which we have all come to lazily accept as if we knew what they really mean. The Pharisees were the hypocrites for a very powerful reason, and Christ helped them along in their condemnation of him as part and parcel of his mission! That is, he didn’t back off, he forced them into making decisions based on their own hypocrisy! Draper’s analysis is a marvel to read, because hypocrisy originally meant to separate, an actor or expounder of the will. The Pharisees were deliberately separating themselves from God! What a weird situation. Who on earth would do that? That is the power of realizing that Christ was calling them hypocrites. This was not a name calling situation (something I always thought he was doing). Christ was telling them they were separating themselves from God, not bringing themselves closer. Anyway, Draper’s article was wonderful to read. I always enjoy articles which look again at the commonplace and well known in the scriptures, and show that they are not so well known and in the original setting there are gems still to see and learn from.
C. Wilfred Griggs article on the Prolegomenon of studying the Gospel of John was rich to read as well. Anything by Griggs is worth reading so far as I am concerned. Don’t tell him I said that though, he might get a big head – GRIN! He analyzed how much the early Christians used the Gospel of John and if they accepted it as canonical and just when this occurred. One theme that came out, is the early Christians felt there was a hidden meaning in John (the Gnostics went wild to be sure), and that the spiritually in tuned could understand that message. Again, hidden meanings and multiple meanings shows up in the Gospel, a theme our anti-Mormon critics hate to admit and say we Mormons use this as a cop out in our discussions and arguments with them. But the early Christians also felt this way.
Kent P. Jackson pictorial presentation of early Christian History was sorta nifty also. It brings a relevance to our reading of the scriptures, a life of reality, since these people really did live there, and there was a culture there which ancient Christians and Jews interacted with and in.
Daniel C. Peterson’s magnum opus on "Ye are Gods" an analysis of Jesus’ using Psalm 82 in John 10 for the deification of human beings was magnificently second to none. What an essay! I thought his essay on Nephi and his Asherah was good!? Oh this is incredible! Not only is it the longest paper presented, but the most thorough so far as research. Many hundreds of sources were utilized. What pleased me the very most (and yes this is entirely self serving, but I’m going to say so anyway) was to see Dr. Peterson use so many of the same source I used in my paper on "The Archaeology of God" for our FAIR Symposium last year, and to see Dr. Peterson come to many of the same conclusions I did, especially concerning the aspect of God having a family, wife, and the council of the Gods, and all of us as literally "Sons of God." That is what thrilled me. His emphasis was different than mine in some respects, but I think we both see eye to eye in many areas here. These areas were once thought of as problem areas with LDS theology. It’s nice to know that there are now two papers, at least, dealing with this council of the Gods, and the plurality of Gods, and deification of man. I am not much of a boost to Dr. Peterson, who can obviously stand on his own, but to have him boosting me? Well, the thrill, I say, is limitless. I loved this essay. I’ve read it three times and get more out of it every time I go through the darn thing!
Stephen D. Ricks’ article on the fall of Adam in early Christianity, the BofM and second Temple Judaism was interesting to see the coincidences and similar aspects of understanding the fall. Adam is seen as a hero, a just man, and a pessimistic view is just not all that common until way later in Christianity. Original sin is just not understood in early Christianity at all. This is a later heretical teaching based on misunderstandings of who and what Adam was. A good read. A short paper but power packed on Adam and Original Sin being absent from the scriptures.
All in all, this is an absolutely terrific read, and well, WELL worth the dough. Shell it out, you’ll find more insights into this than you can almost anywhere else. I’ll read it again, and reference to it extensively for the rest of my life, in my own writings.