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Lehi in the Desert, the World of the Jaredites, There Were Jaredites (The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Volume 5)
Hardcover, 464 pages
Published
January 15th 1988
by Shadow Mountain
(first published 1980)
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It took me a whole year to read this book. I started in Jan of 2008 with Lehi in the Desert. I loved this section. It is hard to read, very deep, thought provoking. But I was prepared, and found that I loved the way the author, Nibley, wrote. I enjoyed reading and gained a whole new perspective about Lehi and his family. The next two sections, The World of the Jaredites and There Were Jaredites were very hard to read. I began The World... in about July. I kept reading but found my attention turn...more
Of all Hugh Nibley's books, this is the one I think of most often. He presents amazing facts and little-known bits of history surrounding the time of Lehi's travels through the desert to the land Bountiful, and the world situation at the time of the Jaredites. Amazing. For example-- did you notice that Nephi says, each time they stop to camp, "we called the place..." But when Ishmael dies, they bury him "in the place which was called Nahom." Suggesting it was already named by local people. And i...more
This is going to sound cliche', but I'll say it anyway: I can't believe I never picked this book up before. Published in 1957 (?), it is scholarship that is yet unanswered. Now I've read it, I think back to all the anti-Book of Mormon arguments and I wonder why in the world people take those criticisms seriously. Even though this book is over 50 years old, it is still the best empirical evidence for the Book of Mormon.
For the faithful, this book is a great thing to read in companion with the Bo...more
For the faithful, this book is a great thing to read in companion with the Bo...more
wow. this book was fascinating. I don't think that I will ever look at the book of mormon the same. Hugh Nibley paints a picture of the Jaredites I never considered. I now look at the war chapters of alma in a whole new light and marvel how I didn't see the influence of Jaredite civilation on the later Nephites and lamanites before or the cultural references of nephi either.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because it is an intense read--lots of large vocabulary and reads like...more
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because it is an intense read--lots of large vocabulary and reads like...more
This is the only book on historical evidence for the Book of Mormon that I've read, so I can't really compare it to any others, but it was an easy read, and contains a surprising amount of evidence given the short length of the book. One thing I got out of this book was additional perspective and understanding of Lehi, the Jaredite, and the tower of Babel stories by helping me understand the background that they came from. In providing this context Nibley amasses an overwhelming body of evidence...more
Although Nibley has a great sense of humor, and is extremely well-read in a number of languages, when he starts talking about proof for Mormon scripture he uses shoddy scholarship.
To understand Nibley's approach to scholarship, see:
Salmon, Douglas F. "Parallelomania and the Study of Latter-day Scripture: Confirmation, Coincidence, or the Collective Subconscious? Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 33, no. 2 (Summer 2000): 129-156.
To understand Nibley's approach to scholarship, see:
Salmon, Douglas F. "Parallelomania and the Study of Latter-day Scripture: Confirmation, Coincidence, or the Collective Subconscious? Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 33, no. 2 (Summer 2000): 129-156.
I think this Nibley volume is best approached with credulous playfulness. He has a scathing wit matched by many many insightful hypotheses based on the itty-bitty details found in the Book of Mormon. That Nibley can write for pages on end about these tiny details is a testament to his intellect and knowledge. I don't necessarily agree with all of his conclusions, but this book is a foundation of intelligent criticism and research of the BoM. My favorite of the two was World of the Jaredites, mos...more
I absolutely loved this work by Nibley--and it was my second-to-last to finish off his collection. Possibly my favorite (though my anti-business sentiments lapped up Approaching Zion in a few hours). Stuff you simply cannot get anywhere else, even when other authors tackle the same subjects and submit the same information.
3.5
Actually, I only read the first book of the three. It was fascinating to learn of Lehi's Jerusalem. While reading this I had several light bulbs go off in my head - "OHHH THAT'S why he said that" Interesting stuff. If you are looking for something to make scripture study a little more interesting - this is a good one.
Actually, I only read the first book of the three. It was fascinating to learn of Lehi's Jerusalem. While reading this I had several light bulbs go off in my head - "OHHH THAT'S why he said that" Interesting stuff. If you are looking for something to make scripture study a little more interesting - this is a good one.
I find Nibley to be an honest scholar, a faithful Christian, and a reliable academic. These works contain insightful observations about ancient Middle Eastern traditions and culture that appear throughout the Book of Mormon - fascinating, clever, and even funny now and then.
Don't like the dated, dry writing style seemingly designed to put the reader to sleep. Love in information in it, though, and especially the way he ended it. Am a fan; hope to read more of Dr. Nibley's works; hope to be able to understand them!
Jun 09, 2008
Keeley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Book of Mormon lovers who like History
Recommended to Keeley by:
Nancy Condie
This book is amazing! He very precisely and succinctly proves that Joseph Smith could not have ever written the Book of Mormon without divine intervention. It is a wonderful dive into the history and stories of these people, the band of Lehi, and the Jaredites. He gives such a complete and in depth picture of their lives, their customs and their language. I am swimming in tidbits of facts that he has provided. I loved this book! I will read it again and again. There is so much more to be had fro...more
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I loved this book.....it's one of my favorites by Nibley. If you are into Anthropology and Archeology, this book is a treat.
Apr 26, 2009
Voin
added it
Typical Nibley - Detailed description of each activity and person. His explanation makes understanding most clear and fulfilling.
It is interesting to see the proof of the Book of Mormon. Especially the Jaredites, who we know so little about.
I finally finished this book! I think I've been reading this for over a year. It's not an overly long book, but it is very deep and not to be read when one is drowsy, which I often am. I'm glad I stuck with it though because the last section on the Jaredites was definitely the most fascinating. Hugh Nibley definitely did his research; the footnotes are staggering! I genuinely don't think I will view The Book of Mormon the same way, and I mean that in the best sense.
This was my first reading of...more
This was my first reading of...more
Just finished re-reading this online at maxwellinstitute.com and loved it again. Nibley blazed such a wonderful path that you see his imprint on later scholars of LDS history and especially old world origins. I can almost feel him talking fast fast fast as I read, and I love his smart-mouthed humor. I also really like these collections of his writings. Sometimes a huge tome is too much brow-beating on a subject. I find an article is often sufficient, and this structure makes salient points and t...more
Absolutely fascinating! I love the way Hugh Nibley thinks and explains!
If language were liquid it would be rushing
Good additional information.
This was one of the more readable Nibley's I've tackled. The last section wasn't my favorite style, but the first two I really enjoyed. I was fascinated by the historical parallels drawn between Lehi and other Arab nomads as well as between the Jaredites and what we know if the civilization they came from. It's not going to convince anyone that the Book of Mormon is true through its evidence, nor is it meant to, but it did strengthen my testimony in many areas. Mostly, it was just very interesti...more
I really liked the first two essays in this book. They were easy to read and understand, which always surprises me about Nibley, because for some reason I always think he should be way over my head. But, I found them very approachable. The third essay is a different story, probably because I'm not a historian or a great reader of "classic" literature, but it was still worth slugging through it any way. I found lots of news insights into my reading of the Book of Mormon. Fascinating stuff!
Nov 10, 2008
Viddy Harris
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those interested in secular support for the Book of Mormon
Nibley is amazing and sometimes a little facetious. The first two books were up to par with the typical Nibley style, but the third book was a little more repetitive and seemed to drag on. He made a lot of good points in the books and some very interesting comparisons between the jaredite and ancient eastern civilizations. Overall I most enjoyed the books in the order they are printed in.
How fantastic and refreshing it is to have people of astounding intelligence (such as Brother Nibley) who approach the book of Mormon from a scholarly view (not forgeting the spirit of testimony), and present the stories in their ancient setting. This book began my love of Nibley's work.
Technically I haven't actually read it cover to cover...I skimmed! But I got most of it! It's not a joyful read (atleast it wasn't for me) It takes work to concentrate and make it through this scholarly volume, but worth it! It's worth sifting the wheat from tares!
This book was written the year I was born! I really appreciated learning many cultural and physical evidences of the Book of Mormon. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon without them but they were interesting and I feel more educated about the Book of Mormon.
This isn't a good sit down and read story and it had some terms that I needed a dictionary for. But it did give me some insight into some possible background of the Book of Mormon. I liked all three books.
A really good read. I enjoyed the "There were Jaredites!" portion a bit more than the "Lehi in the Desert" part. If you've spent any time in Alaska, you may have run across a Jaredite or two.
Jul 27, 2008
Linda
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Christians, LDS, Book of Mormon
Shelves:
lds
I have the original published in 1952. Ordered it from a special collection because of a wonderful Ensign article April 1985. http://lds.org to search for Ensign past issues.
One of the first books written by the late Dr. Nibley. His insight into the Book of Mormon was fantastic. Yet he said that we've only scratched the surface.
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Hugh Winder Nibley was one of Mormonism's most celebrated scholars. Nibley is notable for his extensive research and publication on ancient languages and culture, his vigorous defense of doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for frankly discussing what he saw as the shortcomings of the LDS people and culture.
A prolific author and professor of ancient scripture at Brigham...more
More about Hugh Nibley...
A prolific author and professor of ancient scripture at Brigham...more
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Apr 05, 2010 01:04pm