Brigham Young University's Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) encourages and supports scholarly work on Latter-day Saint scriptures and on selected subjects dealing with various aspects of the ancient Middle East and Mesoamerica. It publishes periodicals and books dealing with these topics, geared for a Latter-day Saint readership, while also working with scholars to get the results of their research published by various university presses aimed at academic audiences.

FARMS views the Bible and the Book of Mormon, as well as other scripture such as the Book of Abraham and the Book of Moses, as authentic, historical texts. Scholars whose work on these ancient writings and related subjects is supported by FARMS approach their topics using a number of disciplines ranging from history, linguistics, and literary and cultural studies, to geography, anthropology, archaeology, and legal studies. Such work that is done from a faithful perspective and that is grounded in solid research and is well thought-out and written, can shed light on the various ancient contexts from which these sacred writings emerged, can further scholarship in several related areas of study, and can significantly contribute to a better understanding of and appreciation for our LDS scriptural heritage.

Established as a private research organization in 1979, FARMS became part of BYU in 1997. At the time, Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and chairman of the BYU Board of Trustees, observed that, "FARMS represents the efforts of sincere and dedicated scholars. I wish to express my strong congratulations and appreciation for those who started this effort and who have shepherded it to this point." He concluded by noting that he sees, "a bright future for this effort now through the university."

The quality work supported by FARMS that is subsequently published either by FARMS or by other academic publishers, conforms to established canons of scholarship, is peer reviewed, and reflects solely the views of individual authors and editors. It represents an important contribution to the broad field of Mormon studies.

The FARMS logo is composed of characters from four of the main ancient languages and cultures relevant to Book of Mormon research.

The Hebrew "aleph" in the upper left corner and the Greek "omega" in the lower right are the first and last letters of the Hebrew and Greek alphabets, standing for "the first and the last" (Isaiah 48:12), who is Jesus Christ.

The Mayan glyph in the upper right is stylized, representing Mesoamerican studies.

The Egyptian "Wd3t eye" in the lower left, the eye of the sun god Re, was an ancient symbol of resurrection, recounting how the eye was torn into pieces and put back together. It also has a connection with the Book of Mormon, since the "pieces" of this eye were used by the Egyptians as binary fractional mathematical symbols for their grain measures, reminiscent of the weights and measures of the Nephites in Alma 11. The round pupil of the eye was also used by the Egyptians as the round outline of the hypocephali used in burials, of which Facsimile 2 in the book of Abraham is an example.