When the Lights Went Out: Three Studies on the Ancient Apostasy

by Hugh Nibley

Three of Nibley's important essays on the fate of the primitive Christian church and its institutions and beliefs are reprinted in When the Lights Went Out since the issues remain relevant. In The Passing of the Primitive Church, Nibley presents forty striking and often neglected facets of church history. The Forty-Day Mission of Christ deals with the historical relevance of Acts 1:3, which claims that after Christ's resurrection, he was seen of them forty days, and [spoke] of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Nibley discusses the implications of the loss of the temple during the fall of Jerusalem in his Christian Envy of the Temple. Each of these three articles appeared separately in scholarly journals, 1959-66.

They were published together by Deseret Book in 1970 under the title When the Lights Went Out. Each of them appeared again in the Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, vol. 4,Mormonism and Early Christianity.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Hugh Winder Nibley was one of Mormonism's most celebrated scholars. Nibley is notable for his extensive research and publication on ancient languages and culture, his vigorous defense of doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for frankly discussing what he saw as the shortcomings of the LDS people and culture.

A prolific author and professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, he was fluent in over ten languages, including Classical Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Egyptian, Coptic, Arabic, German, French, English, and Spanish languages. He also studied Dutch and Russian during World War II.

In addition to his efforts as a scholar, Nibley was well known for writings and lectures on LDS scripture and doctrinal topics, many of which were published in LDS Church magazines. His book “An Approach to the Book of Mormon” was used as a lesson manual for the LDS Church in 1957.

Reviews

[Jacqueholst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nibley is one of the best researchers and commentators on ancient and early religions. His knowledge of various languages is invaluable. I just finished reading When the Lights Went Out for the second time. The immediate steps to capitalize and politicize the early Church are revealing and sad. The knowledge and it's effect on society two thousand years later is very important

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A succinct series of three essays on the ancient apostasy. Dense at points (not unexpectedly) but these essays lay a good scholarly foundation for arguments in support of the apostasy.

[K.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

good sunday read.

[Jaylene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very technical writing - like reading a dissertation. But, some very interesting facts.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

New stuff to think about.