Hugh Nibley (1910-2005) has always been a favorite of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many reasons including his refreshing approach and unending knowledge / appreciation of principles pertaining to righteous living. A Brigham Young University professor, he was of world renown for his ability to fluently read ancient languages at the same time translating it all to English (and other modern languages), lessons for our day and circumstances. I recently picked a up a book ‘The Essential Nibley’ and wish I had seen it years ago. It definitely fills in knowledge gaps and has delicious humor only Professor, Dr. Nibley could provide. (I’ll give the page number for where these quotes are found in ‘The Essential Nibley’. They often reference other sources from Dr. Nibley’s vast writings.) k
From chapter ‘Approaching Zion and the Lord’s Coming’: ‘The Zion Society’ we read: “The separation of he Saints from the world was, in most cases, not a matter of choice— it was forced upon them; God is constantly driving wedges between the Church and the world…. The complete break between the Saints and the world that must precede the coming of Zion has not yet taken place. (The Essential Nibley.p255) (Approaching Zion 34,35)
From the chapter ‘Nibley: Critic and Gadfly”: The talk I gave a year ago {1987} on this occasion was entitled, when it was published, “Last Call” That should have brought a sigh of relief to all who have suffered my apocalyptic fervor these many years. It was more than 40 years ago that I started teaching the Book of Mormon in Provo. Last fall, after years away from it, I returned to the book. Was it weary, flat, stale, and unprofitable as any book would be after one hundred readings? On the contrary, it was a new book. But forget forty years. In the past year alone the world has stumbled, slipped and slithered downward to a point where it has almost caught up with the later chapters of the Book of Mormon. The past year, as a culmination of forty years, bids me forward cast my eye and read, and fear! (The Essential Nibley, p288-9, The Prophetic Book of Mormon, p.533)
(Ie. Author Hugh Nibley, compiled and edited by Marvin R. VanDam, The Essential Nibley, (2014) c.Deseret Book Company. Used by Permission,.)
The book quoted can be purchased by clicking: ‘The Essential Nibley‘ or go to https://deseretbook.com/.
