Deseret News | Hugh Nibley's coded language and the minority mind-set

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Hugh Nibley's coded language and the minority mind-set

Anonymous | 12:40 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

The reason that the world of academics outside the church does not respect Mormon academics is simply the fact that they feel Mormon scholars come to the conclusion what their study will prove before the research begins. Their studies must conform with official church policy. They aren't allowed to examine the data and let the chips fall where they may. I'm sure that Bro. Nibley often felt pressure to come to conclusions he wasn't completely confortable with. All the apologetics have a very narrow parameter within which to work.

Anonymous | 8:08 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

It sounds like Boyd Peterson is keeping his father-in-law's memory alive. With his biography and these articles we won't soon forget a pretty unique individual.

to Anonymous 12:40 | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

That may possibly be the perception, but it is not the reality. From Hugh Nibley's early writing on the purported manuscript of the Book of Abraham (you will recall that it was the LDS church and Hugh Nibley who first announced the papyrus was a funeral document) To the recently published book about Mountain Meadow, They have let the chips fall where they may.

As noted LDS scientist Carl B Eyering told his son, "You don't have to believe anything that isn't true." To me that means examine all the data and let the chips fall where they may. To seek sincerely and with a real intent to know the truth, while not forgetting the experiences that have built your faith in Christ is all that is asked of LDS scholars.

Comments continue below

Eastern Observer | 12:59 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I would suppose that only an African American Latterday Saint would be qualified to make comparisons drawn in this article.

Uncoded | 2:27 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I am really glad I am just a run-of-the-mill Mormon, not an intellectual. The Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the LDS Church is true, and there is no need for me to use coded language when I speak or write of it. Thank goodness! The intellectuals of the world may believe what they want about us, but if they really want to know what we teach, there is an abundance of written material available, uncoded books, talks, and articles written by knowledgable and faithful LDS members, as well as our latter-day scriptures. That coding thing smacks too much of trying to be "politically correct."

intriguing | 6:11 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

No matter what the man thought or did, he had a censor, the church, looking over and through his work. No one is free until the church lets go with the censorship.

How odd | 12:18 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim" stance.

Digbads | 12:32 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention as the Evangelical's submarined Mitt Romney's presidential campaign because of his being Mormon.

Minority mind-set | 1:48 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

You don’t have to use coded language if you are speaking plain, universal truths, and not the peculiar beliefs of a cult.

Anonymous | 6:09 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

If there is concern about misconceptions, the LDS Church as a body should address those misconceptions - speaking out against those who are members of the Church but portray it inaccurately or in a bad light would be a good place to start.

Anonymous | 7:00 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Re: Intriguing I've never had a censor for anything personal/professional coming from the church. Are you a member of the Church, you don't sound like it?

As a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I don't see myself as a minority. I never have, never will! And I don't care if I were or am. I know it's Christ's church and that's what matters!

And Anonymous 12:40 a.m. The truth will set you free and I don't think there is anything about the church that is false! And if there were, people are free to leave it. As I'm sure any honest person would!

Rer Anonymous | 11:07 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"I know it's Christ's church and that's what matters." Pauls said, "For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached..." Mormons have another Jesus. They deny the tri-une God.

Trice | 11:21 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

What is the story on Nibley's daughter.

Former BYU professor | 3:27 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I taught a BYU for a short time. I was accused of teaching false doctrine. I no longer teach there. I think that pretty much sums up the pressures placed on employees of the Church and BYU who try to do research WITHOUT deciding a "faith-promoting" conclusion from the outset!

victor | 4:50 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I hope you were teaching computer science? There is always issues around coding?

Anonymous | 6:12 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Look it up Victor, their have been several stories of BYU firing staff for this.

Anonymous 2 | 6:43 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

When ever they get a honest Biblical Greek Scholar there future is shaky,unless they toe the line. Especially in the Church translation department.

michaelm | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"They deny the tri-une God" Where in the Bible is the tri-une? The three in one, one for all theory is a construct of modern Christians even the founders of most Christian sects did not teach. SOme theorized about it and modern religions capitalized on it and codified it. It is their simplification from a lack of real knowledge. Wrap all confusing and unclear theories in a blanket of mysticism and poetry to obscure the fact that you really have no idea what your talking about. Some will read that as condemnation of various Christian faiths, some of Mormonism.

I may enjoy scholarly theory and conjecture as an amusement but the simple and pure teachings of our Savior are intended for the most simple and young to comprehend and follow. All the rest is the creation of man's imaginations.

RE: Michaelm | 5:07 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

"...baptizing them in (into eis)the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit,"(Mt 28:19 NIV)(to onoma) the NAME of,not NAMES of, Good Greek grammar. 3 persons one God(same substance)Trinitarian statement.
Joseph Smith taught the tri-une God, "Which Father,Son and Holy Ghost are one God,ifinite and eternal,without end. Amen" (D&C 20:28) also see (2Nephi 31:21 & 3Nephi 11:36)then he changed his mind.

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