Of all things!: A Nibley quote book

by Hugh Nibley

Hugh Nibley. Say the name. What do you think of? Intellect? Scholarship? Ancient religions? Temple worship? The study of civilizations? Surely, but there's more. Brother Nibley has a keen sense of humor. And he turns a pithy phrase as no one else can. Here in one volume are many of the most entertaining and also the deepest of Brother Nibley's thoughts on society, science, education, Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and other sacred writings, the temple, sustaining church leaders, and many other topics. These are not hte jottings of some stuffy scholar. These are gems of thought - terse, humorous, wry, and profound - clothed in a language that is so distinctly Hugh Nibley. What emerges from the quotations is the portrait of a rare philosopher - a thinker with the mind of a scholar and the heart of a believer. --- from book's back cover

Genres: Religion, Mormonism, Church

178 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

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

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Nibley has a great sense of humor, and is extremely well-read in a number of languages, when he starts talking about proof for Mormon scripture he uses shoddy scholarship.

To understand Nibley's approach to scholarship, see:
Salmon, Douglas F. "Parallelomania and the Study of Latter-day Scripture: Confirmation, Coincidence, or the Collective Subconscious? Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 33, no. 2 (Summer 2000): 129-156.

For the faithful Mormon, this book has some excellent quotes.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection but tempting to only get the highlights and none of the back thoughts and deeper insights.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I call this book "extract of Nibley" because how can you possibly do justice to Hugh Nibley by a brief quotation. On the plus side, many of the quotations do run half a page, and occasionally a page long. Still, it is just enough to tantalize.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good way to get into Hugh Nibley. Features many great quotes from the best of his writings. Water in a parched world.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for refernece of any of Nibley's writings, his quotes are powerful and theologically actue

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pithy statements by topic. Fun for those who have read Nibley or ever had the chance to hear him teach.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great stuff, makes me want to read more from him and to, well, learn more about everything :-)