Latter-day Saints revere the New Testament witness of Christ and message of the Apostles. Unfortunately, some of the language of the King James Version is difficult to understand for modern readers. In this issue, we offer articles to help teachers and students better understand and communicate the beautiful teachings of the New Testament.

First we offer a classic article by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who discusses “the foolishness of teaching.” While many of the worldly-wise may think teaching is beneath them, the Apostle Paul testified of its importance: “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Elder McConkie reenthrones the importance of teaching in the kingdom of God.

A natural follow-up to this article is an interview with Elder McConkie’s son Joseph, a professor of ancient scripture at BYU and author of his father’s biography. With warmth and incisiveness, Joseph McConkie offers a glimpse into the source of his father’s masterful teaching style and insights into his gospel study habits.

What does “anon” mean in King James English? How about “divers”? In “A King James Vocabulary Lesson,” authors John W. Welch, editor-in-chief of BYU Studies, and Kelsey Draper, a BYU senior in humanities, provide useful definitions and practical tips that will help teachers untangle linguistic knots in the King James Bible English.

Next, Professors Paul Y. Hoskisson and Thomas A. Wayment offer thought-provoking studies on textual issues in the Bible: first, use of the word Abba in the New Testament; second, the relationship between the Joseph Smith Translation and the use of italic text by King James translators.

How can writing be used to stimulate students to search the scriptures? Institute director Larry W. Tippetts and BYU professor Eric D. Huntman suggest ways to create questions and explore the word of God in more meaningful ways.

Finally, we include well-written articles on the Apostasy, the body as a temple, President David O. McKay, and Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Enough said—start reading!

Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Editor-in-Chief

R. Devan Jensen, Executive Editor

Ted D. Stoddard, Associate Editor