Episode 112: Use Boldness but Not Overbearance (Jan J. Martin)

Episode 112: Use Boldness but Not Overbearance (Jan J. Martin)

Author: BYU Religious Education September 15, 2024 Duration: 43:56

As Alma mentored his sons in teaching the gospel, he counseled them not only to cultivate qualities such as diligence, temperance, humility, and self-reflection, but to also use "boldness, but not overbearance" (Alma 38:12) as part of their approach. The words boldness, bold, and boldly are used twenty-seven times throughout the Book Mormon, primarily to indicate that a person, or a group of people, have spoken or acted with "courage, daring, fearlessness; confidence, assurance, [and] security" (Oxford English Dictionary Online, OED). On the other hand, overbearance is used only once and seems to mean "to overcome, put down, or repress, as by power, authority, influence, or emotional pressure" (OED). In this episode, Dr. Jan J. Martin, associate professor of ancient scripture, discusses Alma's stylistic teaching advice given to his son Shiblon. She highlights two critical areas of Alma's methodology: the origin of his prophetic and fatherly counsel for teaching the gospel and his practice of leaning into the Holy Ghost for inspiration on what and how to teach. Alma's experiences in Ammonihah provide important instruction for anyone with leadership or teaching responsibilities who desire to be bold but not overbearing.

  

Publications:

·      "Use Boldness but Not Overbearance" (Book of Mormon Insights: Letting God Prevail in Your Life, Religious Studies Center, 2024)

·      "'Filthy This Day before God': Jacob's Use of Filthy and Filthiness in His Nephite Sermons" (Jacob: Faith and Great Anxiety, Religious Studies Center, 2024)

·      "The Prophet Nephi and the Covenantal Nature of 'Cut Off,' 'Cursed,' 'Skin of Blackness,' and 'Loathsome'" (They Shall Grow Together: The Bible in the Book of Mormon, Religious Studies Center, 2022)

·      The Power of Christ's Deliverance (Religious Studies Center, 2021)

·      "Samuel the Lamanite: Confronting the Wall of Nephite Prejudice" (Samuel the Lamanite: That Ye Might Believe, Religious Studies Center, 2021)

·      "The Theological Value of the King Hames Language in the Book of Mormon" (Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 27, 2018)

 

Click here to learn more about Jan J. Martin


Behind the academic papers and detailed studies produced by the faculty at Brigham Young University, there are personal journeys of faith and intellectual curiosity. Y Religion, from BYU Religious Education, opens a window into that process. Each episode sits down with the professor behind the research, moving beyond the published conclusions to explore the human questions that sparked the inquiry. Conversations delve into why a particular historical detail, scriptural insight, or theological concept demanded a closer look, and what it means for both scholarly understanding and personal belief. This isn't about dry lectures; it's about the intersection of rigorous scholarship and lived discipleship within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The podcast serves as a unique bridge, making specialized academic work accessible and relevant to anyone pondering deeper spiritual truths. You'll hear scholars articulate the challenges and rewards of their dual commitment to the mind and the heart, offering listeners a richer appreciation for the ongoing dialogue between faith and learning. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that illuminate how dedicated study can deepen, rather than distance, one's spiritual journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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