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Expressions of Faith: Testimonies of Latter-Day Saint Scholars
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- GenresLdsReligionNonfiction
250 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1996
About the author
Susan Easton Black
100 books46 followersSusan Easton Black is a retired professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. She is also an author of several books related to Joseph Smith, Jr. and the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 23, 2025
The book describes how the scholars either strengthened their faith or gained their faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It also describes reasons why the Book of Mormon is true or why the Church is true and gives some pretty compelling evidence. It also provides a lot of different sources that can be really helpful when researching or learning new things about faith. It isn't really a light read. It took me forever to get through, but I learned a lot. Something I didn't really like was how short it was. I feel like the author could have collected more essays. Something I liked was the amount of detail and arguments that were supported by evidence. An example of that would be this one section in one of the chapters that talked about the names in the Book of Mormon and how similar they were to names in the Bible and that some of the names had roots in Hebrew and Egyptian. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books based on religion and personal experiences.
September 24, 2026
A COLLECTION OF TESTIMONIES BY A WIDE VARIETY OF LDS ACADEMICS
Susan Easton Black (b. 1944) is a retired professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU.
The Preface by Noel B. Reynolds to this 1996 book states, "many of the news media who are drawn mindlessly to controversy have given the detractors new status and power, christening them ‘Mormon intellectuals’ and presenting them to the world as the thinking Mormons who know the inside story about the Church. In their rush to produce controversial news, many journalists have overlooked that obvious truth---the LDS intellectual and academic communities are composed of strong believers in Joseph Smith’s revelations and solid supporters of the Church leadership. Only at the fringes is there noticeable dissent. The overwhelming majority of LDS academics and intellectuals are active, faithful Latter-day Saints who find these detractors to be driven by a secret hate for a goodness they cannot understand or enjoy on their own terms.” (Pg. ix-x)
He continues, “The simple truth is that higher levels of religiosity among Latter-day Saints … are directly correlated with higher levels of education… it is true of the LDS community that the more educated a person is, the more likely he or she is to be fully observant and faithful.” (Pg. x)
He explains, “When the leadership of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) determined to produce this volume, we thought immediately of Susan Easton Black… as someone ideally suited to pull these testimonies together in a way that would be most useful to the Latter-day Saint community… FARMS promotes that efforts of LDS scholars in numerous academic disciplines to expand and develop our understanding of the scriptures that have come to us through revelation to Joseph Smith… they demonstrate to the faithful that these precious scriptures can be reasonably defended by educated professionals using the highest scholarly standards. Such demonstrations can provide important shelter for fledgling testimonies that may be exposed to the fiery darts of the adversary.” (Pg. xiii)
“Readers of this volume will discover a marvelous and uncoached unity in these testimonies. The invitation to participate in this volume contained only minimal instructions---to share testimony; to discuss, if they desire, the interaction between their faith and their scholarly endeavors; and, if applicable, to reflect on their research into topics related to the Book of Mormon… Although most contributors are persons of substantial learning, none base their beliefs in scholarly insights. Rather, all point to an inner conviction that has come through life experiences and God’s gift. As they explain, these testimonies enlighten their entire lives, including their scholarly endeavors. None feel conflict between the canons of scholarship and of religious belief, but rather find the two mutually reinforcing and even necessary.” (Pg. xiii-xiv)
Truman G. Madsen concludes, “The cumulative testimony of this modern Mormon movement is, much of it, public, shareable, and repeatable. That makes it not the least empirical religion in the world, but the most… Contradictions, even when enshrined in creeds, do not bring one close to God. Reason can show that this accumulated body of Latter-day Saint convictions is both consistent and coherent. The movement is also pragmatic. It works… And it is open to further disclosure. I know of no other religion so responsive to the entire range of human awareness.” (Pg. 43)
Gerald N. Lund states, “I bear witness of the reality of the Spirit’s whispered guidance. In my earlier years as a teacher I used to say that I believed the Holy Ghost spoke to us daily. I am sure now that hourly would be a much more likely description. I know that he comforts, testifies, enlightens, guides, verifies, prompts, warns, directs, compels, restrains, leads, and witnesses to me.” (Pg. 65-66)
Hugh Nibley observes, “Joseph Smith did not come before the world with a premise, or a proposition, or a hypothesis, or a special interpretation of the scriptures, any of which would have given logical grounds for endless discussion. He simply told a straight story to be accepted or rejected, leaving no room for argument. He could neither deny his story not reach an accommodation with the ministers, and that explains a good deal of their implacable rage against him.” (Pg. 146)
Richard Nietzel Holapfel admits, “although I still have a shelf full of questions… I have no doubt that in time all these questions will be answered. On another level, I have no doubt about the foundation of my faith and hope in Christ and the glorious future that awaits his faithful disciples beyond death. Like Paul, I believe that ‘for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known.’” (Pg. 1 Cor 13:12) (Pg. 192)
Donald W. Parry says, “From the opening phrase, ‘I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents,’ to the concluding expression, ‘the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead, Amen,’ the Book of Mormon is textually consistent, internally concordant, and written with integrity. If the reader follows the proper prescriptions, the Holy Ghost will bear witness of the book’s truthfulness, and the reader will draw closer to God through reading it and applying its principles.” (Pg. 219)
These testimonies from a variety of Saints will be of keen interest to LDS members.
Susan Easton Black (b. 1944) is a retired professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU.
The Preface by Noel B. Reynolds to this 1996 book states, "many of the news media who are drawn mindlessly to controversy have given the detractors new status and power, christening them ‘Mormon intellectuals’ and presenting them to the world as the thinking Mormons who know the inside story about the Church. In their rush to produce controversial news, many journalists have overlooked that obvious truth---the LDS intellectual and academic communities are composed of strong believers in Joseph Smith’s revelations and solid supporters of the Church leadership. Only at the fringes is there noticeable dissent. The overwhelming majority of LDS academics and intellectuals are active, faithful Latter-day Saints who find these detractors to be driven by a secret hate for a goodness they cannot understand or enjoy on their own terms.” (Pg. ix-x)
He continues, “The simple truth is that higher levels of religiosity among Latter-day Saints … are directly correlated with higher levels of education… it is true of the LDS community that the more educated a person is, the more likely he or she is to be fully observant and faithful.” (Pg. x)
He explains, “When the leadership of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) determined to produce this volume, we thought immediately of Susan Easton Black… as someone ideally suited to pull these testimonies together in a way that would be most useful to the Latter-day Saint community… FARMS promotes that efforts of LDS scholars in numerous academic disciplines to expand and develop our understanding of the scriptures that have come to us through revelation to Joseph Smith… they demonstrate to the faithful that these precious scriptures can be reasonably defended by educated professionals using the highest scholarly standards. Such demonstrations can provide important shelter for fledgling testimonies that may be exposed to the fiery darts of the adversary.” (Pg. xiii)
“Readers of this volume will discover a marvelous and uncoached unity in these testimonies. The invitation to participate in this volume contained only minimal instructions---to share testimony; to discuss, if they desire, the interaction between their faith and their scholarly endeavors; and, if applicable, to reflect on their research into topics related to the Book of Mormon… Although most contributors are persons of substantial learning, none base their beliefs in scholarly insights. Rather, all point to an inner conviction that has come through life experiences and God’s gift. As they explain, these testimonies enlighten their entire lives, including their scholarly endeavors. None feel conflict between the canons of scholarship and of religious belief, but rather find the two mutually reinforcing and even necessary.” (Pg. xiii-xiv)
Truman G. Madsen concludes, “The cumulative testimony of this modern Mormon movement is, much of it, public, shareable, and repeatable. That makes it not the least empirical religion in the world, but the most… Contradictions, even when enshrined in creeds, do not bring one close to God. Reason can show that this accumulated body of Latter-day Saint convictions is both consistent and coherent. The movement is also pragmatic. It works… And it is open to further disclosure. I know of no other religion so responsive to the entire range of human awareness.” (Pg. 43)
Gerald N. Lund states, “I bear witness of the reality of the Spirit’s whispered guidance. In my earlier years as a teacher I used to say that I believed the Holy Ghost spoke to us daily. I am sure now that hourly would be a much more likely description. I know that he comforts, testifies, enlightens, guides, verifies, prompts, warns, directs, compels, restrains, leads, and witnesses to me.” (Pg. 65-66)
Hugh Nibley observes, “Joseph Smith did not come before the world with a premise, or a proposition, or a hypothesis, or a special interpretation of the scriptures, any of which would have given logical grounds for endless discussion. He simply told a straight story to be accepted or rejected, leaving no room for argument. He could neither deny his story not reach an accommodation with the ministers, and that explains a good deal of their implacable rage against him.” (Pg. 146)
Richard Nietzel Holapfel admits, “although I still have a shelf full of questions… I have no doubt that in time all these questions will be answered. On another level, I have no doubt about the foundation of my faith and hope in Christ and the glorious future that awaits his faithful disciples beyond death. Like Paul, I believe that ‘for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known.’” (Pg. 1 Cor 13:12) (Pg. 192)
Donald W. Parry says, “From the opening phrase, ‘I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents,’ to the concluding expression, ‘the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead, Amen,’ the Book of Mormon is textually consistent, internally concordant, and written with integrity. If the reader follows the proper prescriptions, the Holy Ghost will bear witness of the book’s truthfulness, and the reader will draw closer to God through reading it and applying its principles.” (Pg. 219)
These testimonies from a variety of Saints will be of keen interest to LDS members.
October 21, 2017
This book lived up to it's title. It isn't a particularly long book, but it took me a long time to read; it's the kind of book where I like to read a little bit each day but can't read it for very long at a time. It was very interesting. The scholars had different perspectives and addressed different topics. There testimonies were powerful and it was interesting to hear how each came to know for themselves.
June 30, 2026
Libby. Interesting Book. Some were absolutely wonderful. Others way over my head. Insightful
August 3, 2008
Essays on faith, intellect and testimony by well-known LDS scholars such as Hugh Nibley, Marilyn Arnold, Robert Millet, Bruce Hafen, Gerald Lund, Truman Madsen and Daniel Ludlow. This book pretty much dispels the idea that one cannot be an intellectual without also being (or becoming) a Mormon apostate. I highly recommend this collection.
Read
December 16, 2013This book is better than you might think. Composed of essays written by LDS academics about their personal experiences balancing the life of the mind and the life of the soul. It's worth looking at for Richard Bushman's contribution alone, but several other entries are interesting and insightful as well.
May 28, 2008
This book is a compilation of various lds scholars and their "expressions of faith". It is a very unique and wonderful book. I enjoyed the honesty found within the book as the authors explained their personal journeys through doubt and uncertainty to hope and unshakable faith.
January 9, 2014
This excellent collection of essays of faith by LDS scholars devoted to excellence in many different fields will build faith in those gifted to believe on the testimonies of others. It is especially valuable to day because it answers so many of the arguments use to try to dissuade belief.
June 14, 2010
Great read for anyone wanting to get a scholarly perspective on Mormon doctrine from LDS intellectual and academic community.
November 28, 2012
Part of my intellectualizing mormonism period which was engaging at the but ultimately didn't keep me in the faith.
January 28, 2013
Pretty inconsistent. Some thoughtful and thought-provoking essays, mixed in with some pretty mediocre efforts.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews