New, from the long-comatose and perpetually dying Interpreter Foundation:
Take a Journey into Arabia
Just in time for Christmas, we are pleased to announce the publication of a brand-new book, Into Arabia: Anchoring Nephi’s Account in the Real World.
Focusing on the first eighteen chapters of the Book of Mormon, Into Arabia examines the epic journey made over 2,600 years ago by Lehi and Sariah’s family from Jerusalem to Bountiful. Written by Warren Aston, Godfrey Ellis, and Neal Rappleye, long-time students of the Book of Mormon, Into Arabia represents the most current research available for this foundational journey.
By systematically examining the journey, Into Arabia serves as a solid companion to the 2024 “Come, Follow Me” curriculum on the Book of Mormon. In over 300 pages it presents compelling and tangible physical evidence that unfolds and illuminates Lehi and Sariah’s journey—one made in a world far removed in time and place from our own.
Knowing where truly significant events played out in the Old World is vitally important. Being able to visualize their setting helps us make better sense of the stories found in the text, making them more relatable and real. Aside from Old Jerusalem, many of us will never be able to see the areas in Arabia where the Lehite story unfolds. Anyone who has visited the Holy Land, for example, and has seen for themselves where the Savior was born and where He accomplished his mortal ministry, can attest to the difference it made to how they read the scriptures.
Fortunately, the details of the Lehite journey are described by Nephi in exquisite detail, for he clearly knew the importance of placing the account firmly in the real world. Scattered throughout his account are very specific directions and durations (and thus distances) for the different stages of their journey. But there is much more. Nephi includes hints about the terrain and climate, and even the names of places that still exist today. Astoundingly, much of this information is now archaeologically confirmed.
The Book of Mormon is an account of a real journey made by real people through a specific terrain that was well-known anciently and that is carefully examined in this new book. The specific information in multiple fields documented in this book—all of which was unavailable to anyone in the nineteenth century—helps to strengthen spirit-borne testimonies of the Book of Mormon, the keystone of our religion.
Into Arabia: Anchoring Nephi’s Account in the Real World is available today through Amazon.com in three printed formats, as well as Kindle:
Into Arabia is published by The Interpreter Foundation and Eborn Books.
(Wikimedia Commons public domain image)
Newly posted on the unchanging website of the Interpreter Foundation: Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon Lesson 47: “That Evil May Be Done Away”: Ether 6-11
This week, for Come, Follow Me lesson 47 covering Ether 6-11, we have lectures 110 and 111 from Hugh Nibley’s Book of Mormon classes at Brigham Young University, covering Ether 7-14 and Ether 2-8, respectively.
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.
With his kind permission, I share the following from the Facebook page of Richard Winmill. I was privileged to come across it there even before it was deposited in the Christopher Hitchens Memorial “How Religion Poisons Everything” File™:
Think about the work of salvation being done by the Church and its members!80,000 full time missionaries, 200 Temples built 168 in process., $1.3 Billion given annually to poor and needy. 140,000 Latter-Day Saint Students receive high quality college education with the Church subsidizing around $3 Billion annually. That work requires a $100 Billion perpetual endowment fund primarily from the US where the: “Utah headquarters continues to subsidize the international church everywhere…” — The Mormon Hierarchy: Wealth and Corporate Power by D. Michael Quinn
Scriptures tell us the Land of Promise provides a Constitution without which according to President Oaks the restoration could never have happened.Recent articles in the The Economist and the Wall Street Journal explain how truly exceptional the economy of the USA is compared to to any other in the world. From this promised abundance to tenants of conditionally promised land, faithful Latter-Day Saints have drawn sustenance from which they pay tithes to build the perpetual endowment and a offer generous service. Which service magnifies the effectiveness of the endowment to fulfill the four fold mission.The Economist explains that the American economy has left other rich countries in the dust. See link in comments.The mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help disciples come unto Christ and assist in God’s work by: 1) Living the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2) Caring for those in need.3) Inviting all to receive the gospel.4) Uniting families for eternity.This requires sacrifice and consecrated living.Literally at the dawn of the 21st Century the Church launched a vast Church’ Education System designed to provide a quality, affordable education for any and all disciples of Christ worldwide so they can earn a SUSTAINABLE LIVING WAGE which is the…”Income needed to support a family and have the time and energy to serve effectively in the kingdom of God.” The Prophets committed vast human, innovative and monetary resources to this Church Education System. It is well known that the Church through consecrated tithes has abundant resources perhaps between $150 billion and $200 billion. What is less well understood is the extent to which Church Service Missionaries and highly educated members are both a force multiplier of capabilities and kept costs of low.Perpetual Education Fund has helped some 113,000 since 2001. BYU-Pathway Worldwide (BYU-PW presently has 70,000 students enrolled. Members may qualify for The Benson scholarship program helps individuals obtain post-secondary education in nutrition and agriculture-related fields as well as financial aid such as the Heber J. Grant Tuition Discount and the Returned Missionary Scholarship allow students to receive support for their BYU–Pathway Worldwide education. Cost of a high quality on-line bachelors degree can as little as $1500 total in countries like the Philippines and as little as $7500 total for a bachelors degree in the US.Four years ago Bishop Caussé said “the church’s five universities cost of $1.5 billion a year to teach 90,000 college students” and 800,000 seminary and institute students. Now in 2024, 140,000 students are receiving college education in 180 countries including both in-campus and online students from BYU 35,734 , BYU–Hawaii 2,735 , BYU–Idaho 33,836 , Ensign College 5,700., and BYU–Pathway Worldwide 70,000.The current number of students served must require $2.5 to $3 Billion payment to operating expenses of the four universities.Recent updates have been made to the PERPETUAL EDUCATION FUND — a loan program from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that helps Church members of all ages get an education that leads to a self-reliant job.Since 2001, the program has helped around 113,000 Latter-day Saints in more than 80 countries.The Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) and BYU-Pathway Worldwide work together to provide a pathway to higher education and improved employment opportunities for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), particularly those from low-income backgrounds. They operate in a complementary fashion:**BYU-Pathway Worldwide:** Provides affordable online access to higher education, primarily through certificates and associate’s degrees, with pathways to bachelor’s degrees at BYU-Idaho and other institutions. It focuses on career-relevant programs and offers flexible learning options to accommodate students’ work and family commitments.**Perpetual Education Fund (PEF):** Offers interest-free loans to students enrolled in approved educational programs, including those offered through BYU-Pathway Worldwide. This loan is repaid over time, enabling students to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses that would otherwise be insurmountable. The PEF emphasizes self-reliance and accountability.**How they work together:** A student might apply for a PEF loan to cover the costs of attending a BYU-Pathway Worldwide program. The PEF loan allows them to access the affordable education offered by BYU-Pathway, removing a significant financial barrier. Upon graduation from BYU-Pathway, they’re better positioned to secure better-paying jobs, and then repay their PEF loan. The repaid funds then help other students.**Impact and Results:*** **Number Helped:** Precise numbers are not consistently published in a single, easily accessible place by the Church. However, both PEF and BYU-Pathway have served hundreds of thousands of students worldwide. Millions have benefited from the overall Church Education System, with PEF and Pathway playing an increasingly important role in that.* **Results:** The combined effect is significant. While detailed, statistically rigorous studies are not always publicly released by the Church, anecdotal evidence and internal data suggest positive results:* **Increased earning potential:** Graduates often report higher incomes and improved employment opportunities after completing their education through these programs.* **Improved self-reliance:** The PEF loan repayment aspect emphasizes self-reliance and financial responsibility.* **Expanded opportunities:** Students gain access to educational opportunities they may not have otherwise had.* **Enhanced life skills:** Beyond academic knowledge, many report increased confidence, better time management, and improved problem-solving skills.
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