"THE ESSENTIAL NIBLEY: Excerpts from the Writings of Hugh Nibley,” compiled by Marvin VanDam, Deseret Book, $14.99, 318 pages (nf)
There are more than 9,600 pages in the 19 volumes that comprise the "Collected Works of Hugh Nibley."
Marvin VanDam drew from these volumes to provide a 318-page compilation of significant quotes by the late LDS scholar in “The Essential Nibley: Excerpts from the Writings of Hugh Nibley.”
VanDam calls it "a compilation — a discovery and stitching together — of significant elements."
Topics vary and include chapters on the prophets Joseph Smith, Abraham, Isaiah, the childhood and Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Second Coming. It also includes a section of Nibley’s wittiness and often-quoted phrases in regards to science, everyday living and the importance of having knowledge about both sides of an argument. VanDam also include many of Nibley's thoughts and insights on topics that aren't often discussed or brought up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
VanDam includes sources throughout "The Essential Nibley" from the original volumes of "Collected Works of Hugh Nibley," which were written by Nibley throughout his lifetime.
There is a key to abbreviations prior to the reader diving into some of Nibley’s deepest thoughts on scholarship and religion. The 19 chapters are further organized with subheads to also assist the reader in this trove of scholarly writings.
Nibley, who was born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Los Angeles, served a mission in Germany for the LDS Church. After serving in World War II, he went to Provo to teach at Brigham Young University where he remained for over half a century. Nibley became one of Mormonism’s primary intellectual defenders.
VanDam's previous publications include “Mine Elect Hear My Voice: The Gathering of Israel” and “When Christ Returns — Millennium Hymn.”
Micah Klug graduated with her bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She currently resides in Rexburg, Idaho.