Mormon Studies Commons^™

Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt: Thousands Called Her Mother, Roseann Benson

BYU Studies

A tribute to Sarah Louisa (“Louie”) Bouton Felt declared her “a beautiful lady whose name we all should know.”1 Although many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are familiar with two names important to the organization of the Primary Association, Aurelia Spencer Rogers (1834–1922) and Eliza R. Snow (1804–1887), the name Louie B. Felt (1850–1928) is relatively unknown. However, Louie was the second person called to be a ward Primary president and at age thirty was selected to preside over all the Primary Associations in Utah Territory, serving as the first general superintendent of the Primary …

Early Missionary Training At Brigham Young Academy And Byu, Rebecca A. Wiederhold

Faculty Publications

Early missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were expected to prepare themselves for missionary work by gaining their own scriptural understanding and knowledge of gospel doctrine. As the Church grew, schools were founded in the latter half of the 19^th century. Some of the pre-cursors to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) as we know it today were administered by Brigham Young Academy and later Brigham Young University. This exhibit details missionary training efforts here from the 1880s through the 1920s, when the Salt Lake Mission Home was established.

The Use Of Gethsemane By Church Leaders, 1859–2018, John Hilton Iii, Joshua P. Barringer

Faculty Publications

Many commentators have noted that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (herein referred to as “the Church”) has a distinctive focus on Gethsemane.1 For example, Douglas J. Davies has written that the “LDS interpretation of Christ’s garden experience involves a most interesting relocation of the act of atonement within Christian theological accounts that have, traditionally, seen the cross as the prime site of assuming human sin”2 and that “Mormonism relocates the centre of gravity of Christ’s passion in Gethsemane rather than upon the cross and Calvary.”3

"And Now My Son, I Have Somewhat More To Say": Corianton's Concerns, Alma's Theology, And Nephite Tradition, Dan Belnap, Dan Belnap, Daniel L. Belnap

Faculty Publications

Comprising sixteen chapters of the book of Alma, the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges—at least from the perspective of Mormon—seems to have been one of the more significant years of Nephite history. Marked by such events as the emergence of Korihor, the Zoramite rebellion, and the ascension of Amalickiah, these chapters depict a Nephite community undergoing social unrest and uncertainty.1 Among this block of scripture are Alma’s sermons to his sons. Though their personal and intimate structure is in marked contrast to the larger, historically minded chapters, the theological concerns that Alma addressed with his sons, particularly …

Depression, Religiosity, And Parenting Styles Among Young Latter-Day Saint Adolescents, Mark D. Ogletree, W. Justin Dyer, Michael A. Goodman, Courtney Kinneard, Bradley W. Mccormick

Faculty Publications

This study examines depression among Latter-day Saint teens, particularly how religiosity and the parent–child relationship are associated with depressive symptomology. Although there is an abundance of research on adolescent depression and on adolescent religiosity, there is less research addressing the connection between the two. The research questions include: Does religiosity among Latter-day Saint teens reduce their rates of depression? What aspects of religiosity affect depression most significantly? How does religious coping influence depression? How does the parent–child relationship affect depression rates among Latter-day Saint teens? Being a sexual minority and living in Utah were related to higher levels of depression. …

Beyond Justice: Reading Alma 42 In The Context Of Atonement Theories, Mark D. Ellison

Faculty Publications

In Alma 42, Alma teaches his son Corianton about the atonement in a statement laden with legal vocabulary. Terms such as law, judged, just, justice, injustice, punishment, probationary, and penitent dominate the message, in company with such concepts as the execution of the law, the infliction of punishment, and punishment being affixed to violation of law. By all appearances, Alma sets forth what theologians call a juridical view of atonement (one concerned with the administration of justice). The problem as Alma states it is that “all mankind were fallen” and because of disobedience were “in the grasp of justice” and …

Representations Of Nineteenth Century Mormonism In A Mormon Maid: A Cinematic Analysis, Elisabeth Weagel

Journal of Religion & Film

During the first quarter of the 20th century there was a trend in Hollywood to make films about Mormons. Practices such as polygamy created just the kind of sensationalism that attracted filmmakers (even Thomas Edison contributed with his 1902 film A Trip to Salt Lake). Many of these were B-pictures, but the 1917 film A Mormon Maid stands out because it was produced by a major production company (Paramount) and was backed by top director Cecil B. DeMille. It is often given passing reference, but very little genuine scholarship has been done on the film. A hundred years …

The Cult Of Names, Shaydanay A. Urbani

Capstones

The Mormon church keeps extensive records of its members. This is a personal story about how I tried to get my record removed, 15 years after leaving the church, as well as a short history of naming, women, and theology.

Guardians Of Virtue, Tamsen Maloy, Tasia Jensen

Capstones

Guardians of Virtue is a short documentary following Tamsen Maloy as she explores how the church of her upbringing--the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon church)--handles sexual assault. It is quickly revealed that the church does not have adequate resources for sexual assault survivors. On the contrary, the culture and system of the church enables assault and encourages survivors to feel they are to blame.

Link to capstone: https://tantproductions.wordpress.com/

Clark Memorandum: Fall 2018, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Byu Law School Alumni Association, J. Reuben Clark Law Society

The Clark Memorandum

• Heroes of Unity: Latter-day Saints, the "Bonds of Affection," and the Atonement of Christ (Thomas B. Griffith)
• Defend Divinely Inspired Freedoms (Elder Quentin L. Cook)
• Homicides in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon (John w. Welch)
• How to Enjoy the Ride: Choosing to Love in Life and Career (Sharla Smith Hales)

Truth Endures, D. Todd Christofferson

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

I thank my Heavenly Father for the privilege of being with you tonight. I’m grateful for Elder Kim B. Clark and Brother Chad H Webb. I admire all those who have been mentioned this evening or are listed in the printed program. I have a deep appreciation for the Church Educational System, for seminaries and institutes. I have deep admiration for all who serve—the associates, the volunteers, all who contribute. The service you provide is supremely important and valuable to Church members, especially to each rising generation, and I am grateful to you.

The Book Of Mormon And Patriarchal Blessings: Reflections By An Ordained Patriarch, Richard Dilworth Rust

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

In my service as a stake patriarch before going on several missions with my wife and subsequently in giving patriarchal blessings to several of my grandchildren, I have learned how the Book of Mormon as a whole and in its parts can be likened in many ways to a patriarchal blessing. Likewise, a patriarchal blessing given by an ordained patriarch can be likened to the Book of Mormon. An increased understanding of the one can help us better understand and value the other. In looking at the Book of Mormon and patriarchal blessings together, one can see even more clearly …

Lds Hispanic Americans And Lamanite Identity, Tyler Balli

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

In September 1972, the Ensign published a piece called “What Is a Lamanite?” Using an “imaginary conversation” between different individuals of Latin American descent and a Church leader, this article got to the heart of the complexity of Lamanite identification within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When this piece was published in the 1970s—and even long before—some Church leaders strongly encouraged Hispanics to identify as Lamanites, a name referring to a people found in the Church’s founding scripture—the Book of Mormon. Even with the Church’s encouragement, however, not all Hispanics jumped to identify as Lamanites. The “What …

See The One, Lori C. Newbold

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

I am grateful for the opportunity to be here today and share my love for the Savior, for you, and for the youth and young adults we have the privilege of serving.

Review Of Sacred Space: Exploring The Birthplace Of Mormonism, Daniel H. Olsen

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

When I was asked to read and review Michael MacKay’s Sacred Space: Exploring the Birthplace of Mormonism, I was expecting to read a straightforward history of Fayette, New York, the story of the founding of Mormonism in Fayette, and the efforts of the LDS Church to purchase and restore the Peter Whitmer Sr. home where, Church members have been told, the Church was organized on 6 April 1830. However, I was quite surprised, as I imagine most Church members would be, to read that the location of the establishment of Mormonism is highly contested within some Mormon history circles. Some …

End Matter

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

No abstract provided.

Filled With Joy, Grant C. Anderson

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

Two years ago our commissioner, Elder Kim B. Clark, taught us from 3 Nephi of the angels and children who were encircled about with fire. He taught us that as religious educators, we too should be encircled about by that holy fire.1 There is, as you know, another account in the Book of Mormon of individuals being surrounded by heavenly flames. Lehi and Nephi had been thrown into prison, and the account says: “They were as if in the midst of a flaming fire. . . . And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, . …

Multicultural Competency For Us Seminary And Institute Teachers, Mario O. Lopez

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

I remember visiting an early morning seminary class in Laie, Hawaii, held in a chapel next to the high school. The seminary teacher was Caucasian. Her students were Polynesians, Asians, Latinos, and haoles (Caucasians). I noticed the Tongans were seated together on one side and the Samoans on the opposite side. The Asians were scattered in the middle. The haoles were in the front seats and the Latinos right next to the back door. The Tongans and Samoans were talking and laughing. The Asians were quiet, heads bowed down, and some were sleeping. The Latinos were always looking at the …

Review Of Lengthening Our Stride: Globalization Of The Church, D. Brent Smith

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

Lengthening Our Stride: Globalization of the Church, published in January 2018 by the BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, builds upon the landmark 4 April 1974 address of President Spencer W. Kimball to LDS regional representatives in which he, in the initial months of his presidency, called upon the Church and its leaders to “lengthen our stride” and “enlarge our vision” in taking the gospel to “all nations.” Edited by Reid L. Neilson, assistant Church historian, and Wayne D. Crosby, director of Global Support and Acquisitions in the Church History Department, the book includes twenty-one addresses presented in …

Religious Literacies As Social Practice: A Latterday Saint Perspective, Eric D. Rackley

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

Although we are learning more about how young people make sense of religious truths, there is a conspicuous dearth of research examining the meaning-making practices of Latter-day Saint youth. As a result, it is unclear, for example, how Latter-day Saint youth read scripture. What’s working for them? What’s not? How do we know? “Faith without understanding” may be the sardonic standard for religious literacy in the United States, but I am confident that in the Church we can do better. We can help youth develop faith and understanding. Without a clearly articulated conception of religious literacy, however, the Church may …