I just wanted to make you aware of some other sites and articles that I have noticed recently that have some really good resources for your study of the LDS Sunday School Old Testament lessons. I admit that I have been quite bad at looking at blogs for the past months, but I have looked at the following sites recently and have been impressed.
Visions of the Kingdom: A Study in Scriptural Symbolism – LDS-themed blog by David Tayman. Although I’ve known of it for some time now (it’s in my list of blog links to the right), I just noticed that David has been posting a series of studies that generally coincide with the Sunday School curriculum. I really like David’s research style (perhaps because he seems to share many of my same interests). His site is attractive and the content is of high quality. He focuses on some very important aspects of the Old Testament traditions. He also certainly seems to have some training in or native talent for web design and graphics, as can be seen in this cool video he designed to illustrate the Creation.
Joel’s Monastery – Although I’ve been familiar with him (or his internet presence) for some time, I was just recently alerted to Gerald Smith’s great blog, where he has been posting on the Old Testament lessons. Gerald does some great research on the OT texts and provides a very insightful commentary. I think you’ll find him very thorough and helpful!
For a good article on Joseph Smith’s opinion of the Watchers (the “sons of God” of Gen. 6), see this post on Mormon Matters.
Also, as you may have seen already, BYU’s Maxwell Institute has just released the first issue of their new journal: Studies in the Bible and Antiquity. You can take a look at this exciting new journal and its articles online here. Pay special attention to PhD candidate David Bokovoy’s article entitled “From the Hand of Jacob: A Ritual Analysis of Genesis 27“. This is an illuminating study that would be very helpful for your study of the upcoming Old Testament Lesson 10 (and just a fascinating read any ol’ time). I have met David a couple of times and can tell you that he is an excellent scholar.
Hope these few resources are of help!
2 Comments
Thanks for the link! And I’m glad you liked the video (as a note, the link appears to be malfunctioning, however.)
I just realized a little while ago that nobody had done a video (that I was aware of) that visually expressed the ANE view of Creation. Seeing as Video is a great way to clarify abstract concepts, I decided to do it, and mix in additional parallel and symbolic elements that I explain in more detail in the individual posts. I actually gained some additional insights myself working on it. I’m sure I’ll revise it and continue to tweak it as time goes on, but if it helps people visualize some of the important OT imagery, than I’d say it was worth it. Besides, it was fun!
If I can think of additional things that would be worth expressing in video, I’d be interested in doing so as well. I’m open for any suggestions!
Again, keep up the great work!
David,
Thanks for the plug. Check’s in the mail. I think all of the OT lessons being provided on the blogs gives a great source to the saints. Each of us take it in a our own different direction, and it makes us all better for it. I know I’ve learned tons from your blog.
BTW, Ardis Parshall also blogs somewhat on Keepapitchinin’s site, telling how the lessons were taught decades ago: keepapitchinin
Gerald Smith