Maxwell Institute

Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Formation	2006
Type	Research Institute (Mormon studies)
Headquarters	Brigham Young University
Location	Provo, Utah, USA
Executive Director	M. Gerald Bradford
Parent organization	Brigham Young University
Affiliations	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Website	maxwellinstitute.byu.edu

The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, or simply the Maxwell Institute, was created by Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2006 as the umbrella organization for several groups housed in the same building: The Middle Eastern Texts Initiative (METI), Center for the Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts (CPART), the Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies, and the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS), to which has now been added Christianity and the Bible Research Initiative (CBRI). As of 2013, FARMS no longer exists, but had not produced anything and had no staff for several years previous. The Maxwell Institute's most recent mission statement reads: “Our mission is to deepen understanding and nurture discipleship among Latter-day Saints and to promote mutual respect and goodwill among people of all faiths through the scholarly study of religious texts and traditions.”

The following information is adapted from the Institute's most recent self-description:

Scholarship

The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship is an academic research unit at BYU composed of scholars whose primary interest is the study of religious texts. The scholars work under the auspices of the following initiatives: Center for the Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts (CPART), which undertakes digital humanities projects relating to ancient religious texts. Christianity and the Bible Research Initiative (CBRI), which supports research and writing on the Bible and early Christian literature, history, art, and culture. Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies, which deals principally with the Book of Mormon in ancient and modern settings, and now potentially with the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and related subjects. Middle Eastern Texts Initiative (METI), which studies and produces bilingual editions of important Jewish, Christian, and Islamic texts. William (Bill) Gay Research Chair, which focuses on study directly related to ancient LDS scripture, particularly the Book of Abraham and the Book of Mormon (as of 2013, the chair is held by John Gee).

Maxwell Institute Press

Through a publishing arm, the Maxwell Institute Press, the Institute publishes books and journals for both general and academic readers. Academic publications focus on early Christian studies, Middle Eastern texts, and Mormon studies, including the Mormon Studies Review. Academic book-length titles often carry the BYU Press imprint and are distributed by the University of Chicago Press. Publications for general readers consist of research and interpretation of the contents and contexts of ancient and modern LDS scripture, as well as scholarship that commends and defends the faith. These publications include two periodicals—the Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture and Studies in the Bible and Antiquity. Book-length titles in this area carry the Maxwell Institute Press imprint and are often jointly published and distributed by Deseret Book.

Outreach

The Institute's work reflects the relationship between faith and intellect, discipleship and scholarship. Interested LDS readers are urged to rely on such efforts for fruitful discussions of scriptures, answers to questions, and assistance in becoming more devoted disciples. Readers may also benefit from publications dealing with texts from other religious traditions to broaden understanding and promote goodwill through interactions with friends of other faiths. The Maxwell Institute endeavors to further the goals and objectives of BYU. The Institute is named for former LDS apostle, Neal A. Maxwell, a man known by Latter-day Saints and others, not only for his poignant and learned writings and sermons, but also for his example as a disciple-scholar.

The Institute announced a blog in March 2013, the Maxwell Institute Blog.

Support

The Maxwell Institute work is made possible by generous support from BYU, donors, and subscribers. In addition, scholars and colleagues around the world donate their time and effort in helping to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith”.

Controversy

Controversy and debate was sparked when Maxwell Institute director Gerald Bradford removed Daniel C. Peterson from a long-time editorship of the FARMS Review (now Mormon Studies Review). Peterson retained his position as editor of the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative (METI) until resigning from that post in September 2013.

External links

• Official website at maxwellinstitute.byu.edu
• Official Blog at MaxwellInstitute.byu.edu/blog
• Official Facebook page