Religion Commons^™

Taking The Gospel To The Lamanites: Doctrinal Foundations For Establishing The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Mexico, Matthew G. Geilman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a study about the influence of the Book of Mormon message to the Lamanites upon the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico, primarily focusing upon the years 1875-1950. Several important events, people, and publications from the first seventy-five years of the Church's history in Mexico are evaluated as historical case studies in order to examine the extent to which the message to the Lamanites influenced the beginnings of the Latter-day Saints there. These case studies include the first mission to Mexico in 1875, early publications in Spanish, the dedication of Mexico …

The Worldwide Expansion Of Seminaries To English Speaking Countries From 1967 - 1970, Jon E. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the initial expansion of the seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beyond North America from 1967 – 1970. During these years, seminary expanded to Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. William E. Berrett, as the administrator of the seminary and institute program, is involved in each phase of the program's expansion and therefore acts as a constant influence throughout the study. This study explores the conceiving and developing of the home study seminary program as well as the pilot program coordinated by Don Bond in the Midwestern United States. The efforts of …

Paul, The Athenians, And The Breath Of Life: Acts 17:22-31, William Russell Horst

Theses and Dissertations

This MA thesis argues that Paul's speech to the Athenians in Acts 17:22-31 includes biblical allusions, as well as concepts and turns of phrase that bear a strong resemblance to those of other Hellenistic Jewish texts, especially those related to the breath of life.

Catechesis For A Practicing Church, Jim Fox

Theses and Dissertations

In "Catechesis for a Practicing Church" I . . . survey the history of Christian catechesis (looking for norms regarding content and structure), explore methods and styles of contemporary experts in secular and Christian education, and reflect on the context of a practicing church as observed specifically in Vineyard Community Church (VCC) to define and build a contemporary catechesis for VCC (the model) as well as for the larger practicing church.

The Roots And Methodologies Of Contemporary Islamic Legal Reform, Eric Robert Trager

Theses and Dissertations

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A Historical Analysis Of How Preach My Gospel Came To Be, Benjamin H. White

Theses and Dissertations

Missionary work is one of the most important tasks undertaken by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spreading the gospel is at the heart of the Savior's message to his apostles shortly before his ascension into heaven, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," (Matt. 28:19). Full time missionaries of the Church are charged with teaching Christ's message. The questions of what to teach and how to teach it have led to four sets of formal missionary discussions published by the …

Doctrine And Covenants Section 110: From Vision To Canonization, Trever Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis answers the question of how a vision recorded in Joseph Smith's journal found its home in the Doctrine and Covenants and become recognized as canonized scripture. The April 3, 1836, journal entry became known as Section 110. Section 110 serves as a foundation for the current practices and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, involving temple building and temple ordinances. Thus it is important to understand the history of this Section from journal entry to canonization because it is an example of recovering revelation. This thesis also explores contributing factors that could have led …

The Messages Of The Restoration: A Study Of The Doctrinal Development Of The Missionary Message Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Sheldon Nixon

Theses and Dissertations

Proselyting has always been an important part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in recent history the proselyting message has remained primarily the same. But that was not the case in the earliest days of the Church. When Joseph Smith received his First Vision and started to share that experience to others, the proselyting message of the Church was born. But that message, the message of the Restoration, did not linger on that event for too long. In fact the message of the Restoration underwent a series of evolutions and modifications as the Lord continued to …

An Analysis Of The Teaching Aids Provided For Sunday School Teachers In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Kevin Douglas Whitehead

Theses and Dissertations

Teaching is, and always has been, important in the work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As one of the auxiliaries of the Church, the Sunday School has made an ongoing effort to provide effective teaching aids for its teachers in order to improve instruction in the Church. This work documents and examines change in principles of gospel teaching over the course of a century. By comparing teaching aids provided for Gospel Doctrine teachers in different time periods with guidelines found in the scriptures and words of modern prophets this work seeks to increase understanding of themes …

Corporeal Man: A Latter-Day Saint Perspective, Todd S. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the Latter-day Saint theology and teachings concerning the physical nature of man.Exploring the Latter-day Saints' theological approach to corporeal man and God's designs regarding the physical nature of man is significant because of the unique Latter-day Saint belief that God, Himself, is an exalted, corporeal man and that the physical body of man was created by God to enable humans to become like Him in all aspects. Latter-day Saints believe that Heavenly Father created spirit bodies for His sons and daughters in a pre-mortal state.The physical earth was then created through Jesus …

Doctrinal And Historical Analysis Of Young Women's Education In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Andrea Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

First, this thesis acknowledges that Jesus Christ is the central figure in the plan of salvation, and that the principal doctrine in the young women's curriculum should detail the Lord's atoning sacrifice (see Helaman 5:12). Second, it emphasizes the importance of God's law of witnesses (see Duet 19:15, Matt 18:16, 2 Cor 13:1, D&C 6:28). Third, it discusses the principles of edification within the young women's learning environment. Fourth, it explains the need to focus curriculum on universal and unchanging doctrine. The doctrine is the most crucial component in measuring the young women curriculum according to the latest standards offered …

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Enters Albania, 1992-1999, Nathan D. Pali

Theses and Dissertations

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints entered Albania in 1992. Albania was a unique and difficult place to establish the LDS Church. Under the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha religion was systematically eliminated from Albania and replaced with atheism. Additionally, missionaries were twice evacuated in the first decade in the country and the Book of Mormon was not available in Albanian until 1999. Despite these setbacks the LDS Church grew at a steady rate in Albania due to native Albanian interest and individual attention by missionaries.

Isaiah's Burden Prophecies As Spirtual Formulas, Justin Brent Top

Theses and Dissertations

The Book of Mormon makes it clear that Isaiah's message is of great importance to the modern reader. In order to facilitate modern and personal spiritual application of Isaiah's writings, spiritual "formulas" or principles may be discovered or formulated. These formulas are statements of truth based on the prophet's writings that may be applied in multiple situations and time periods. Such formulas of truth offer valuable insighst across time. These formulas may be understood by analyzing the historical setting of the chapter(s) under review, and through critical examination of the text itself. These formulas provide a solid foundation upon which …

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In National Periodicals: 1991-2000, Casey William Olson

Theses and Dissertations

From 1991 through 2000, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experienced a greater volume of national periodical attention than ever before in its history. This thesis surveys what was written about the Church in national magazines during that time and provides analysis of the effect of those writings on the Church's public image. National periodicals may serve as an important gauge of the Church's public image because they address topics of national interest and also help to formulate public opinion on those topics. This study thus provides a basis for determining how the Church fared in terms of …

A Comparative Study Of Muhammad And Joseph Smith In The Prophetic Pattern, Todd J. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

As early as 1831, critics attacked Joseph Smith by comparing him to Muhammad. Over time, the comparison deepened as critics and scholars observed doctrinal and political similarities between Mormonism and Islam. Later, scholars compared Joseph Smith to Muhammad because both had generated a new religion and there seemed to be several similarities in the lives of Joseph Smith and Muhammad. These and other comparisons between the two men and their religions have been made from 1831 to the present, yet there have been few thorough, non-polemic examinations of Joseph Smith and Muhammad in the typology of prophethood. While notable similarities …

James E. Talmage And The Nature Of The Godhead: The Gradual Unfolding Of Latter-Day Saint Theology, Brian William Ricks

Theses and Dissertations

Since the beginning of Christianity, the debates over the nature of God have been frequent and ardent. Augustine, John Calvin, and John Wesley, with others, supplemented the generally accepted view of the Godhead as established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Correctly understanding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost is one of the most critical aspects of religious worship. The Savior said, "And this is life eternal, that they may come to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). Joseph Smith, the first Latter-day Saint Prophet, taught a …

Joseph Smith's View Of His Own Calling, Tucker John Boyle

Theses and Dissertations

The Prophet Joseph Smith stood in a unique position as the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held positions of translator, prophet, seer and revelator. He was taught the responsibilities of his calling as he translated ancient scripture - the Book of Mormon and the Bible. He was further instructed concerning his calling as he received revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. This study examines scriptural passages that surely influenced the Prophet's understanding of his own calling. It then illustrates Joseph Smith's view of his calling as evidenced by statements in his writings and …

Joseph F.Merrill: Latter-Day Saint Commissioner Of Education, 1928-1933, Casey Paul Griffiths

Theses and Dissertations

Joseph F. Merrill served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1928 to 1933, an era critical in the development of Latter-day Saint Education. During his tenure as commissioner several key developments occurred in Church education, among them the closing of most of the remaining Church academies, transfer of nearly all of Church junior colleges to State control, rapid expansion of the Church seminary system, and establishment of the first LDS Institutes of Religion. Merrill also initiated new efforts to encourage LDS educators to seek graduate-level education outside of Utah, and to bring religious scholarship to the teachers of the Church. …

The Influence Of The First World War On The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, James I. Mangum

Theses and Dissertations

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its membership felt a substantial impact from the effects of World War I. Although other authors have attempted to bring forward the events of these hostilities, they are few in number and the research in this area is small. Additionally, few have focused on the effects of the war on the Church. In order to increase the understanding of this influence, this work examines how the First World War affected the lives of Latter-day Saints both during and after the conflict. The entire world felt the effects of the world war …

Evaluating Transformative Spirituality In An Organizational Leadership Program At A Christian University, Elizabeth D. Rios

Theses and Dissertations

In the field of Christian higher education, some educators are more concerned with marketing their programs to nontraditional students, the fastest growing segment of new enrollments. Although many view that as a blessing, the issues of mission and specifically spirituality are of concern to educators and administrators who want to avoid the secularization already impacting many fine schools in the country. At satellite locations, some educators perceive that the lack of structured practices and intentional procedures and the marketing of convenience-based structural models have watered down the offerings of Christian higher education. This applied dissertation evaluated whether spiritual development and …

Personal Scripture Study Of Prospective Missionaries, Eric Lyon Wing

Theses and Dissertations

The call of Church leaders to "raise the bar" placed direct attention on the preparation of future missionaries. Also, the new Preach My Gospel missionary guide emphasized effective personal scripture study in order for missionaries to fulfill their purposes of teaching by the Spirit and inviting others to come unto Christ. Thus, "raising the bar" and Preach My Gospel together created an important focus on the personal scripture study of prospective missionaries. However, available social research offered little indication of the state of scripture study among future missionaries. Consequently, this study maintained an exploratory design and utilized qualitative research methods …

A Study Of The History Of The Office Of High Priest, John D. Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an examination of the office of high priest from its beginning with Adam as the first and down through the restoration of the Church in the last days. This study revealed that the office of high priest was the only priesthood office that was held from the time of Adam until the Melchizedek Priesthood was taken, generally, away from the congregation of Israel in Moses' day. The office did however remain but was exclusive only to a few. Another important aspect of the history of the office of high priest that will be shown is how the …

To Know The One True God: Reconciling The God Of The Old Testament With The God Of The New Testament, Kelly D. Newman

Theses and Dissertations

There is a popular misconception in the world that Jehovah is too severe on occasion while Jesus Christ is always kind and merciful. The Latter-day Saint belief that Jehovah and Jesus are the same person presents a supposed conflict. There has not been much written on this subject by either non-Latter-day Saints or Latter-day Saints, thus, this thesis represents a unique contribution to a common perception prevalent in many Christian circles. The research of this thesis shows that the misconception is based on three problems: first, a misinterpretation of biblical stories in both the Old and New Testament; second, a …

Cornelius P. Lott And His Contribution To The Temporal Salvation Of The Latter-Day Saint Pioneers Through The Care Of Livestock, Gary S. Ford

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis combines two studies: the role of livestock in the temporal salvation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mormon exodus of 1846 and Cornelius P. Lott's contribution in the care of cattle and sheep during that time period. At Winter Quarters, the Church and its members depended in large measure for their survival upon the sizeable cattle herds they had acquired prior to their exodus from Nauvoo and during their trek across Iowa. Church leaders relied on men like Lott, whose expertise in the care of livestock, contributed significantly to the salvation of the …

A Study Of The For The Strength Of Youth Pamphlet, Jared A. Jepson

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an examination of changes in the various editions of the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, an outline of standards and expectations for the youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the course of the past forty years, eight editions of the pamphlet have been printed. The first edition was published in 1965 and the most recent publication was in 2001.

The study revealed that significant changes have been made in the various editions. The initial six pamphlets, which were published from 1965-1972, focused on social behavior of the youth such as dress …

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In National Periodicals, 1982-1990, Matthew E. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued to receive exposure in national periodicals. This thesis will explore that image from 1982 to 1990. During those years, the church continued to grow in membership and expand its existing programs.

National periodicals can assist in assessing the public image of the Church because they help "mould public attitudes by presenting facts and views on issues in exactly the same way at the same time throughout the entire country." In this manner, they help to form the public opinion about the Church. They also reflect existing opinions because magazine publishers …

An Analysis Of The Newspaper Coverage Of Latter-Day Saint Temples Announced Or Built Within The United States From October 1997 Through December 2004, Kevan L. Gurr

Theses and Dissertations

President Gordon B. Hinckley, the fifteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, excited the membership of the Church by increasing the number of temples available to members. He announced that the Church would construct smaller buildings – as compared with existing temples at the time – thereby allowing for greater numbers of temples to be built. He set a goal to build 50 temples in a two and half-year period: double the number the Church had ever attempted to build in any decade. Thirty-four of these temples were built in the United States, and newspapers – …

The Etoile Du Deseret: Portrait Of The French Mission, 1851-1852, Douglas James Geilman

Theses and Dissertations

One of John Taylor's most significant achievements during his mission to France, 1849-1851, was the publication of a French-language Latter-day Saint periodical, the Etoile du Déséret. Appearing in twelve issues from May 1851 to December 1852, the Etoile served a variety of functions for the earliest missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. A study of its historical context and of its contents allows readers a glimpse into the circumstances under which the missionaries labored and into the needs of the growing Church. Furthermore, the Etoile provides a vivid example of John …

A Diabolical Disneyland In Zion: The Mormons And The Mx, Jacob W. Olmstead

Theses and Dissertations

In September 1979 President Jimmy Carter publicly announced his decision to support the deployment of the MX missile and mobile basing scheme in Utah and Nevada. Despite local opposition and the close proximity of the proposed base to its headquarters, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) remained silent until 5 May 1981, when the First Presidency issued a statement opposing the MX plans. The purpose of this work is to narrate the history of the development of the Mormon position regarding the deployment of MX missile in the Great Basin and evaluate the response to the statement …

Fathers' Religious And Family Involvement At Home; And Work And Family Outcomes, Roxane O. Whyte

Theses and Dissertations

This study proposes and confirms two new predictors of work and family outcomes, thus far unexplored in existing work-family literature: fathers' religious involvement at home and fathers' family involvement at home. It is the first study to date to document that these produce a crossover effect to positively influence work-related outcomes including work-family conflict, work-family fit and job satisfaction.
Data come from employed married fathers and their spouses participating in the 2001 BYU Marriott School of Management Alumni Work and Family Survey (n = 210), all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Findings are that …