Defending the Faith: Mormon studies get a new online voice

But Interpreter aspires to be more than merely an online journal. The leaders of the venture hope eventually to convene symposia, broadcast lectures and publish books, as well. In fact, Interpreter will shortly co-sponsor its first independent conference, a program dedicated to the memory of the late Matthew Brown and titled "The Temple on Mount Zion," which will be held at the Provo Public Library on Sept. 22. (For more information, see www.mormoninterpreter.com/the-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/.) Presentation topics will range from temple symbolism in the book of Genesis through temple and ritual complexes in ancient Mesoamerica to developments in the design and function of modern Latter-day Saint temples.

Unfortunately, the "Temple on Mount Zion" conference will conflict, in part, with the annual meeting of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology, which will be held in Logan, Sept. 20-22. This is what the French call "an embarras de richesses" — a confusing surplus of abundance. But it's a good problem to have. Fascinating things are happening in the world of Mormon studies.

Daniel C. Peterson is a professor of Islamic studies and Arabic at Brigham Young University, where he also serves as editor in chief of the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. He is the founder of Mormon

ScholarsTestify.org, the general editor of "Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture" online at www.mormoninterpreter.com and he blogs daily at www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson.