Give Ear to My Words: Text and Context of Alma 36-42 (48th Annual Brigham Young University Sidney B. Sperry Symposium)

The presentations in this volume focus on the teaching and doctrines found within Alma 36-42 as approached through a variety of academic and theological lenses. The chapters are organized into four primary sections: doctrine, historical content, parents and children, and literary structure, devices, and techniques. Tad R. Callister was a keynote speaker. The diversity of this book’s contribution provides valuable new contexts to help readers understand Alma’s doctrinal expositions. The range of topics covered and the contrasting perspectives will appeal to a broad audience and speak to many different people at different levels, but in every case, the authors hope it will expand the minds and understanding of all its readers.

Nicholas J. Frederick received his BA in classics and his MA in comparative studies. He received his PhD in the history of Christianity, with an emphasis in Mormon studies, from Claremont University. His research focuses primarily on the intertextual relationship between the text of the Bible and Latter-day Saint scripture.

Hank R. Smith is an assistant professor of ancient scripture at BYU. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dixie State University, his MBA from Utah State University, and his PhD in educational leadership from BYU. He worked for fourteen years with Seminaries and Institutes of Religion as an instructor.

Kerry M. Hull is a professor of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. He earned a BA in Spanish and BA in French from Utah State University. He received an MS in applied linguistics from Georgetown University. He completed a PhD in linguistic anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin.