How Kish Became a Nibley Fan

[Tom]

Kish, I greatly enjoyed your podcast. I count myself as a one-time Nibley acolyte.

Regarding your anecdote about Nibley's address at a BYU event where there was a "passing of the torch" from Nibley to Griggs, do you recall more about the occasion? Was Griggs assuming a professorship from Nibley, for example?

I wonder whether anyone has a recording of Nibley's infamous prayer ca. 1960. I looked around a bit and found that he apparently gave the benediction at the August 1960 commencement exercises (per the program for the exercises).

I also wonder how many souls have sought to follow in Nibley's footsteps or become "the next Nibley." I must confess that my ill-fated quest came to an abrupt end when I flunked out of Cassius my first year.

[Kishkumen]

Kish, I greatly enjoyed your podcast. I count myself as a one-time Nibley acolyte.

Regarding your anecdote about Nibley's address at a BYU event where there was a "passing of the torch" from Nibley to Griggs, do you recall more about the occasion? Was Griggs assuming a professorship from Nibley, for example?

I wonder whether anyone has a recording of Nibley's infamous prayer ca. 1960. I looked around a bit and found that he apparently gave the benediction at the August 1960 commencement exercises (per the program for the exercises).

I also wonder how many souls have sought to follow in Nibley's footsteps or become "the next Nibley." I must confess that my ill-fated quest came to an abrupt end when I flunked out of Cassius my first year.

Thanks for listening, Tom! Sorry I do not recall the details. I think he may have been assuming the leadership of Ancient Studies, which later S. Kent Brown took up after Griggs. Griggs was not in it for long, If I recall correctly. To be honest, I have no idea exactly what kind of entity Ancient Studies was.

[msnobody]

Did Nibley’s teaching style inform your own teaching style in any way?

My best friend growing up, her mother drove a Buick Opal. My uncle and cousins owned about 500 acres of pasture land. There was a portion of their land they called “the bottom.” It was an area where when it rained, the creek would rise and flood the road. We were driving to school one day and her mom had her window down, not realizing that the oncoming car was going to send a rush of water in through the driver’s window. Anyway, that’s my Opal memory.

In my crazy mind, I’m thinking I enjoyed that Nibley gravy. Keep ‘em coming, Kish.

[Moksha]

To be honest, I have no idea exactly what kind of entity Ancient Studies was.

The study of Mormonism from Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri up to the Renaissance?

[Madison54]

https://youtu.be/h4qAe09AnCo?si=iLICI3JlnO2ajBln

This is an autobiographical installment about how I got into Nibley’s work, went to BYU to study with him, and changed the focus of my studies as a result. I get into the experience of the Nibley wannabe students and how we idolized both Nibley and John Gee.

I really loved this "installment", Kish

I grew up in Provo and went to school with some of the Nibley children. I was not close friends with any of them, but I was invited over to their home a few times with friends. It was a humble (but lively) home and I only briefly met Nibley only once when I was there.
I remember their backyard was a lot of fun with some really unique games and a man made zip line, etc....I assume all built and designed by Nibley.

My Mother & older brother actually became close to Nibley towards the end of his life (for about a five year period).
They both wrote him back & forth, spoke with him on the phone and visited him several times in person (I have many photos of them together). My Mother was a church history buff and thought outside the box (although remained active) and my brother was no longer active but loved Joseph Smith & just clicked with Nibley (who he loved).
They had both read everything he'd ever published.

I could share a few of the things Nibely shared with them towards the end (a couple things were a bit surprising for me to hear), if that's of interest to you....but I won't post them here if you prefer that I don't.

Anyway....thank you for this segment!

[Kishkumen]

I really loved this "installment", Kish

I grew up in Provo and went to school with some of the Nibley children. I was not close friends with any of them, but I was invited over to their home a few times with friends. It was a humble (but lively) home and I only briefly met Nibley only once when I was there.
I remember their backyard was a lot of fun with some really unique games and a man made zip line, etc....I assume all built and designed by Nibley.

My Mother & older brother actually became close to Nibley towards the end of his life (for about a five year period).
They both wrote him back & forth, spoke with him on the phone and visited him several times in person (I have many photos of them together). My Mother was a church history buff and thought outside the box (although remained active) and my brother was no longer active but loved Joseph Smith & just clicked with Nibley (who he loved).
They had both read everything he'd ever published.

I could share a few of the things Nibely shared with them towards the end (a couple things were a bit surprising for me to hear), if that's of interest to you....but I won't post them here if you prefer that I don't.

Anyway....thank you for this segment!

I am so glad you enjoyed it. You were in my thoughts while I was making this because you once told me of your connection to the world of Nibley. Anything additional you want to share here about that would be most welcome! I remain keenly interested in all things Nibley.

[Tom]

Kish, I greatly enjoyed your podcast. I count myself as a one-time Nibley acolyte.

Regarding your anecdote about Nibley's address at a BYU event where there was a "passing of the torch" from Nibley to Griggs, do you recall more about the occasion? Was Griggs assuming a professorship from Nibley, for example?

I wonder whether anyone has a recording of Nibley's infamous prayer ca. 1960. I looked around a bit and found that he apparently gave the benediction at the August 1960 commencement exercises (per the program for the exercises).

I also wonder how many souls have sought to follow in Nibley's footsteps or become "the next Nibley." I must confess that my ill-fated quest came to an abrupt end when I flunked out of Cassius my first year.

Thanks for listening, Tom! Sorry I do not recall the details. I think he may have been assuming the leadership of Ancient Studies, which later S. Kent Brown took up after Griggs. Griggs was not in it for long, If I recall correctly. To be honest, I have no idea exactly what kind of entity Ancient Studies was.

Thank you, Kish. I like your story about looking for Nibley’s car. I recall reading a few car-related stories involving Nibley. (I have no idea if they actually happened; I may be garbling some details.) One had the Nibley family members fanning out on Sunday mornings to search the campus for his car. (It was easier to find his car because campus parking lots were not as full on Sundays.) Another told of Nibley driving to the store for some groceries and then returning on foot. His wife asked him where the car was. He had no clue.

[Kishkumen]

Thank you, Kish. I like your story about looking for Nibley’s car. I recall reading a few car-related stories involving Nibley. (I have no idea if they actually happened; I may be garbling some details.) One had the Nibley family members fanning out on Sunday mornings to search the campus for his car. (It was easier to find his car because campus parking lots were not as full on Sundays.) Another told of Nibley driving to the store for some groceries and then returning on foot. His wife asked him where the car was. He had no clue.

The classic absent-minded professor! If I have followed Nibley successfully in any regard, it would be this, but, admittedly, not to such Olympian heights of absent-mindedness.

[Kishkumen]

Did Nibley’s teaching style inform your own teaching style in any way?

My best friend growing up, her mother drove a Buick Opal. My uncle and cousins owned about 500 acres of pasture land. There was a portion of their land they called “the bottom.” It was an area where when it rained, the creek would rise and flood the road. We were driving to school one day and her mom had her window down, not realizing that the oncoming car was going to send a rush of water in through the driver’s window. Anyway, that’s my Opal memory.

In my crazy mind, I’m thinking I enjoyed that Nibley gravy. Keep ‘em coming, Kish.

Thanks, msnobody! I do think Nibley's teaching style has impacted my own. I don't really like preparing lectures to follow strictly in a scripted way. That said, I differ in that I try to be responsive to the students' interests and to follow a broad outline of what we should cover in a course.

[msnobody]

I like that you mentioned being responsive to your student’s interests.

As an aside, have you ever encountered a student and thought, “That is another me?” I remember a while back you mentioning a student with whom you were impressed.