The Old Testament and Related Studies - In December 1832, the Lord instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith, "Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." Few members of the Church have followed that admonition as faithfully as has Hugh Nibley, emeritus professor of ancient history at Brigham Young University. As a young man he memorized vast portions of Shakespeare and studied Old English, Latin Greek and other languages. As a student at Berkeley, he began reading the southwest corner of the ninth level of the library and worked his way down to the northeast corner of the first level, studying every significant book that caught his eye. And throughout his life, he has related everything he has learned to the greatest knowledge of all-the word of the Lord, as revealed in the scriptures and in the temple. Not content with that, however, Dr. Nibley has dedicated himself to being a teacher, to sharing with others the knowledge he has gleaned through his vast studies. He has lectured and published widely, producing more than three hundred papers and books on a wide variety of subjects. Old Testament and Related Studies is the first volume in The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, published by Deseret Book Company and the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. This collection of papers and lectures, many of which have never been published, includes papers on the earth before Adam, the historicity of the Bible, archaeology and religion, myths and the scriptures, patriarchy and matriarchy, apocryphal works, the message of Isaiah, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Qumran community, and other subjects, all in Dr. Nibley's fascinating and inimitable style. Old Testament and Related Studies, which was complied and edited by John W. Welch, Gary P. Gillum, and Don E. Norton, will be enjoyed by students of the Old Testament, gospel scholars, and history buffs — indeed, by anyone who desires to "Seek learning, even by study and also by faith."
